Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/703041
B rent Pry is living the dream. After two seasons as linebackers coach, the veteran assistant was named Penn State's defensive coordinator in January following Bob Shoop's decision to leave for Tennessee. Pry had been serving as the Nittany Li- ons' co-defensive coordinator while also performing his position-coaching duties, so it didn't come as much of a surprise when James Franklin promoted him less than 24 hours after the Volunteers hired Shoop. And if Franklin had no reserva- tions about offering him the job immedi- ately, Pry had even fewer qualms about accepting it. He has talked often about how thrilled he is to coach at PSU, and those feelings have only gotten stronger in the years since he arrived in 2014. "It's just a great environment," said the Altoona-born Pry. "I feel very proud to work here and to work for James and to be part of Penn State. I know when I go into high schools, I've got my chest popped out and I feel very good and very comfortable about being at Penn State and excited about our future. I think it's just a special place." Pry's heavy involvement with Shoop's scheme has helped minimize any transi- tional disruptions that might otherwise have cropped up in a program that has now had five defensive coordinators since 2011. But after losing six starters from last season, four of whom were taken this past spring in the NFL Draft, there's some rebuilding to do. In addition, Pry's defense will be deal- ing with the ripple effects of the changes that are under way on the opposite side of the ball. New offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead is installing a high-speed spread attack that promises to score more points than Penn State did the past two seasons but also could tip the time-of- possession scales in opponents' favor if it isn't able to string together first downs. But as his first season as coordinator approaches, Pry can't help but be excited about the Lions' long-term trajectory. "I love our plan, and I love the leadership that Coach Franklin has," he said. "We can have a great plan and a great process with great players. I don't know if it gets any better than that. We've certainly had obstacles and hurdles, but for the most part, those are in the rearview mirror. I think the future is very bright. I'm excit- ed about the direction that we're going." Pry recently sat down with Blue White LIVING IN THE FUTURE Pry watches high school players practice during a Penn State foot- ball camp in June. Photo by Nate Bauer 2 0 1 6 P E N N S T A T E F O O T B A L L P R E V I E W