When Dan Connor joined the Penn State football coaching staff in 2022, his role as a defensive analyst was limited. He couldn’t be on the field, whether it was during practices or games.
Because of a rule change that lifted that restriction, Connor’s role has increased significantly.
The former Nittany Lions and Strath Haven star not only is coaching linebackers but also sending in the defensive play calls to the middle linebacker via helmet transmission.
“It’s been a huge change,” Connor said Thursday. “I’ve been able to run the (linebackers) room, coach on the field and wear a headset on game day. I’m used to all of that stuff. It’s what I feel most comfortable doing.”
Defensive coordinator Tom Allen, the former Indiana head coach, is also listed as the Penn State linebackers coach. But he has allowed Connor to guide the linebackers and to communicate his play calls to Kobe King or Tyler Elsdon after moving upstairs to the press box after two games.
“It was very encouraging for him to have confidence in me to have the communication with the Mike (middle) linebacker on game day,” Connor said. “It’s a very important function and it’s really changed college football.
“I’m in Kobe’s ear and I can almost play it like a video game to help him make checks and help him anticipate things based on offensive formations, motions or anything like that. It’s been a huge advantage. The vote of confidence from Coach Allen meant a lot to me.”
Connor began coaching in 2014 after he endured a torn ACL, a fractured hip, a torn Achilles and a neck injury while playing six seasons in the NFL for Carolina, Dallas and the New York Giants.
Connor spent three seasons as linebackers coach at West Chester University, which went 26-9 in that stretch. He left to become head coach at Archbishop Carroll, which hadn’t posted a winning season since 2007, and struggled to a 4-18 record in two years.
His next stop was Widener, where he spent four years as defensive coordinator. In his final season there, 2021, the Pride finished 7-4 and ranked second or third in the Middle Atlantic Conference in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense.
Connor said the linebacker position has changed dramatically since the days he was playing at Penn State alongside Paul Posluszny and Sean Lee.
“It was a lot easier to play linebacker in my era,” he said. “I was fortunate. I was lucky. You didn’t have the stresses and the spread offenses that you see now. It’s a different game.
“With these offenses, you have to be significantly more athletic and better in space at linebacker. They’re going to test you. They’re going to get you out in open space. …You really have to be a complete linebacker to play now.”
For the 38-year-old Connor, coaching is part of his family’s DNA. His father and his two brothers all have spent more than a decade in the profession at the high school and college levels.
He’s thrilled to be in his third season at Penn State, where he won the 2007 Bednarik Award as the nation’s most outstanding defensive player, became a two-time All-American linebacker and set the school record for career tackles, which he still holds.
He and his wife, Angela, are at home in State College with their two sons.
“It’s a great place to live,” Connor said. “My family loves it. My kids love it. When you’re a player, you’re a taker. You’re taking all the coaching, the support and everything.
“Being able to give back to Penn State and having an effect on the players has been unbelievable. The transition was easy. It was smooth. There are no complaints. It’s really unbelievable for me.”
Connor, the Lions’ last two-time first-team All-American, is grateful to head coach James Franklin for giving him the opportunity. He said two years ago that he’d like to stay at Penn State “as long as they’ll have me.”
He hasn’t changed his mind, especially with the added responsibilities.
“I’m kind of happy,” he said, “with what I have going on right now.”
