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Those experiences, Butler said, all led him into the new role he's set to embark upon. "I think everything has prepared me for this step," Butler said. "Every job you take and every task you take on in coaching, you're basically getting yourself ready for the next opportunity. "Just like anything else in life, you never know what path [you're] going to take. You take the journey and, the next thing you know, you're at this spot, at that spot, you're learning and developing and 19 years later, you're at Penn State and you're accepting the defensive coordinator's job." Working with a relatively inexperienced secondary last season, Butler helped the unit overcome early-season struggles and finish 28th nationally in pass efficiency defense. O'Brien said Butler's success led to the promotion. "John did an outstanding job with the secondary this past season and brings tremendous experience, energy and a passion for tenacious defense to the field and in the meeting room," he said in a release. Noting that he shares defensive philosophies with Roof, Butler said he expects Penn State to continue using multiply aggressive formations designed to confuse opponents. He also expects to continue working with the secondary in his new role. Although O'Brien promoted Butler over longtime Penn State defensive assistants in Ron Vanderlinden and Larry Johnson, the three assistants are ready to start building on the success that Penn State enjoyed last season, Butler said. "This is obviously a tremendous honor that Billy has given me – the opportunity to take over as the defensive coordinator here at Penn State – but there's going to be a ton of consistency with Ron and Larry being here, two great coaches," Butler said. "We're going to put this thing together and it will be very similar to what we did in 2012. "You just kind of adapt your marching orders and move on. You don't have that much time to think about it in any aspect other than that you have a job you've gotta do." – NATE BAUER Former defensive coordinator heading home to Georgia Tech Veteran coach and Penn State defensive coordinator Ted Roof is returning to his alma mater, Georgia Tech, as the Yellow Jackets' new defensive coordinator, the school announced on Jan. 10. "I've known Ted for a long time and I'm excited that he has decided to come back to Georgia Tech," head coach Paul Johnson said. "He's one of the most respected football coaches in the nation." In place of ROOF Roof, Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien has promoted special teams and defensive backs coach John Butler into the defensive coordinator position for the Nittany Lions. Multiple sources close to the Penn State football program indicated that Roof's departure did not come as a complete surprise, considering his background with the school, his status as a Georgia Tech Hall of Famer and his family ties in the state. He was a four-year letterwinner as a Yellow Jacket linebacker under head coach Bill Curry from 1982-85. As a senior, Roof was co-captain and a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection on a team that finished 9-2-1 and defeated Michigan State in the All-American Bowl. Roof told The Associated Press that he had no hard feelings about his departure from Penn State, saying that members of the 2012 squad would be remembered "because of the heart and commitment that they showed and exhibited. ... [They represent] everything that's right about college football." He added, "That was a real privilege and special deal for me to be part of that football team." Roof hails from Lawrenceville, Ga., and has coached at programs across the country, including Alabama, Duke, Massachusetts, Western Carolina, Georgia Tech and Auburn. In 2010, he helped the Tigers win a national championship. This is his third school in the past 14 months. During Roof's season at Penn State, the Nittany Lions ranked second in the Big Ten in scoring defense (19.1 ppg), first in sacks (34), first in red-zone defense and third in turnover margin. Nationally, Penn State was tied for first in red-zone defense, 15th in sacks, 16th in scoring defense, 23rd in rushing defense, 28th in pass efficiency defense and 29th in total defense. Butler, meanwhile, shot up the coaching ranks during his brief career. He now takes over Penn State's defense as one of the brightest, most knowledgable and well-liked assistants on the Penn State staff.

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