Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/617289
fore his arrival to a 6-5 record. The fol- lowing year, the Rams went 12-2 and finished ninth in the Football Champi- onship Subdivision rankings. They went 11-3 in 2014 and 9-3 this past season. Overall, he compiled a four-year mark of 38-13, winning the Patriot League title in 2014 and producing a number of of- fensive All-Americans. "We are very excited to have Joe join our Penn State Football family," Nittany Lion head coach James Franklin said in an offi- cial statement. "He has distinguished himself as a head coach who made a dra- matic impact at Fordham University. His approach and vision offensively are very similar to ours: hard-nosed, blue collar and explosive. We completed an exhaus- tive search of many candidates, and his name kept rising to the top. "Many factors led to this decision. Joe's makeup as a person and leader is outstanding. He is originally from Pitts- burgh and has strong relationships throughout Pennsylvania and the re- gion. He brings invaluable perspective to our staff as a former head coach. Most importantly, his offensive production as a coordinator and head coach speaks for itself." Fordham's numbers were particularly strong the past three seasons. Moor- head's offense finished no lower than 15th in the FCS all three years and was fifth in 2014. Running back Chase Ed- monds was named the Patriot League's Rookie of the Year in 2014 and its Player of the Year this past fall. Moorhead was named the Patriot League Coach of the Year in 2013, and he directed the Rams to three consecutive appearances in the FCS playoffs. Before his stops at Fordham and Con- necticut, Moorhead made his biggest impact as offensive coordinator at Akron. Under his direction, the Zips produced 13 All-Conference players and an All-America wide receiver in Jabari Arthur. Franklin had said following Donovan's exit that he wanted to hire a coordinator quickly enough that the new coach would be able to evaluate the Nittany Li- OFFENSIVE ISSUES Donovan spent two seasons at Penn State before being dismissed on Nov. 29. Hackenberg was the linchpin of his offense but may not return in 2016. Photos by Mark Selders/ Penn State Athletics (below), Steve Manuel