ALTOONA, Pa. -- There's been a good bit of coaching news around college football this week, with several situations involving Penn State connections, and one with a big Steelers connection.
Here's the breakdown:
WHISENHUNT TO ALABAMA
In a development late Wednesday night, former NFL head coach and Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt was plucked away from Penn State by Nick Saban and Alabama.
Whisenhunt had been an offensive analyst for James Franklin and the Nittany Lions the past two years, and by all accounts had been a valuable member of the staff in that role.
But now he's getting a chance at Alabama, where he will be a special assistant to Saban.
Former NFL head coach Ken Whisenhunt is expected to join the Alabama staff in an off-field role, sources tell @on3sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 16, 2023
Whisenhunt, who was head coach of the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans, was an analyst at Penn State the last two years.https://t.co/31jtUlaVkc pic.twitter.com/18BokiZEAK
Whisenhunt spent eight years as an NFL head coach with the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans between 2007-15. He compiled a 48-71 record as a head coach.
Whisenhunt was the Steelers' tight ends coach from 2001-03, then served as offensive coordinator from 2004-06. He helped the Steelers win Super Bowl XL against the Seattle Seahawks, then left to become head coach of the Cardinals.
During that Super Bowl victory over Seattle, Whisenhunt called this famous trick play that helped the Steelers take a commanding lead.
PARKER PROMOTED AT NOTRE DAME
Gerad Parker is expected to be named Notre Dame's new offensive coordinator.
Some Penn State fans may not remember Parker, as he was only with the program for one year. He served as the wide receivers coach in 2019 before leaving to become offensive coordinator at West Virginia in 2020.
Parker spent two seasons in that role, then moved on to serve as Notre Dame's tight ends coach in 2022.
Now, Parker is getting an incredible opportunity to oversee Notre Dame's offense, which recently lost coordinator Tommy Rees to Alabama.
Parker is 42 years old and played wide receiver at Kentucky from 2000-04. He was interim head coach at Purdue for the final six weeks of the 2016 season, after Darrell Hazell was fired.
Parker was a highly regarded member of James Franklin's staff at Penn State for the short time he was there, but obviously was on a path for bigger and better things in his career.
JOEMO EXTENDED AT AKRON
Earlier this week, Joe Moorhead received a contract extension as head coach at Akron through the 2027 season.
Moorhead went 2-10 in his first season as the Zips' coach in 2022. While that may not seem too impressive, keep in mind Akron has been one of the worst programs in the country for several years. Moorhead's team competed much better and made good progress throughout the season. The team will have 18 starters back next season, so it could be in position for a solid year.
Moorhead, Penn State's offensive coordinator from 2016-17, was interviewed for the Baltimore Ravens' offensive coordinator position this offseason.
Moorhead reportedly will hire former Penn State linebacker Nyeem Wartman-White as his linebackers coach. He played for the Nittany Lions from 2012-16.
Source: Akron is expected to hire Nyeem Wartman-White as the new defensive line coach. He's a former star at Penn State and has been coaching the defensive line at UNH since March of 2020.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 13, 2023
ENGRAM NOT HIRED BY RAVENS
Former Penn State wide receiver Bobby Engram interviewed twice for the Ravens' offensive coordinator job but did not get the position.
The Ravens hired Todd Monken, who had been OC at Georgia.
Engram was considered a strong candidate for the Ravens position since he had familiarity with the organization, having served as wide receivers coach from 2014-18.
