Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki returning to Kansas after two seasons with the Lions

Does he need a ride to the airport?

“And you were there and you were there.”

Happy for him. He’s appreciated there.

Good for him. I wonder if he will return to his basket of gimmicks or if he actually learned anything.

I was wondering if a return to Kansas was possible. Good for him. Does this cut his buyout?

GregPickel said:

https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/news/penn-state-offensive-coordinator-andy-kotelnicki-will-not-return-to-the-lions-in-2026/

Good Luck Andy.

Can't believe he let Franklin talk him out of a P4 HC gig.

When you are the OC for a James Franklin coached team and you have a successful season resulting in any HC opportunities. You take those opportunities IMMEDIATELY.

Facing B12 defenses is a good way to resurrect your career.

More Dairy Queen flurry?

I had trouble finding what his new position will be. Is he going back as OC?

Bittersweet departure. He seemed like he was the guy based on 2024 season. Then 2025, it did not work out at all. Will we ever know if it was more him or the personnel, or CJF? I wonder if he had a more mobile QB and a better collection of WRs how he would call a game differently. We certainly did too much gimmick stuff for my liking. Just seems like teams need 100% alignment on head coach, OC, and style of QB to really succeed. I don't know if we had that.

MrBlisster said:

When you are the OC for a James Franklin coached team and you have a successful season resulting in any HC opportunities. You take those opportunities IMMEDIATELY.

Hard to believe we had Trey Wallace and BGJ , Kotkenicki and company couldn’t figure a way to get him the ball. Flat out embarrassing coaching!

NittanyLager said:

Bittersweet departure. He seemed like he was the guy based on 2024 season. Then 2025, it did not work out at all. Will we ever know if it was more him or the personnel, or CJF? I wonder if he had a more mobile QB and a better collection of WRs how he would call a game differently. We certainly did too much gimmick stuff for my liking. Just seems like teams need 100% alignment on head coach, OC, and style of QB to really succeed. I don't know if we had that.

NittanyLager said:

Bittersweet departure. He seemed like he was the guy based on 2024 season. Then 2025, it did not work out at all. Will we ever know if it was more him or the personnel, or CJF? I wonder if he had a more mobile QB and a better collection of WRs how he would call a game differently. We certainly did too much gimmick stuff for my liking. Just seems like teams need 100% alignment on head coach, OC, and style of QB to really succeed. I don't know if we had that.

IMHO, obviously, ... Regarding alignment, here's my answer: PSU did not have that alignment in 2025; at all. Regarding him, CJF, or personnel: IMHO a combination of all 3, and CJF is a part of all 3 of those things... And IMHO the continued mis-alignment once Terry took over indicates either, a) CJF demanded certain schemes (some of which involved square peg of player in round hole of scheme); b) AK totally bought into what was demanded of the CJF and was stubborn to let go; or c) a combination of a) and b) I am shocked that AK was not picked up by Ryan Day for the to$u OC vacancy!! AK in way over his head in the big10 without game-breaking, difference making skill players. Hopefully Kansas has another Jalon Daniels waiting for AK at QB, so he can cook his big12 style $6.99 buffet of his bag of tricks ...

GregPickel said:

https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/news/penn-state-offensive-coordinator-andy-kotelnicki-will-not-return-to-the-lions-in-2026/

riding on a rail............. covered in chicken feathers????????

Good luck. Your stuff wasn't going to work here and Franklin should have known it.

NittanyLager said:

Bittersweet departure. He seemed like he was the guy based on 2024 season. Then 2025, it did not work out at all. Will we ever know if it was more him or the personnel, or CJF? I wonder if he had a more mobile QB and a better collection of WRs how he would call a game differently. We certainly did too much gimmick stuff for my liking. Just seems like teams need 100% alignment on head coach, OC, and style of QB to really succeed. I don't know if we had that.

Was never a fan of his. The offensive system with Drew was round peg square hole and it didn't work. Not a friend to the WR's. Pena could have been sooo much better.

In the 25 years that I've been cognizant enough to follow PSU Fball, I think AK may be the biggest dip **** that I’ve seen coach here. *Honorable mention to John Butler, David Corley, Marques Hagans, and several more that I’m sure I’m forgetting rn.

Kansas had a 6th year senior at QB this year. I wonder if it’s a possible landing spot for Beau.

Nate Hess said:

In the 25 years that I've been cognizant enough to follow PSU Fball, I think AK may be the biggest dip **** that I’ve seen coach here. Honorable mention to John Butler, David Corley, Marques Hagans, and several more that I’m sure I’m forgetting rn.

to be mentioned in the same breath as John Butler................

pioneerlion83 said:

IMHO, obviously, ... Regarding alignment, here's my answer: PSU did not have that alignment in 2025; at all. Regarding him, CJF, or personnel: IMHO a combination of all 3, and CJF is a part of all 3 of those things... And IMHO the continued mis-alignment once Terry took over indicates either, a) CJF demanded certain schemes (some of which involved square peg of player in round hole of scheme); b) AK totally bought into what was demanded of the CJF and was stubborn to let go; or c) a combination of a) and b) I am shocked that AK was not picked up by Ryan Day for the to$u OC vacancy!! AK in way over his head in the big10 without game-breaking, difference making skill players. Hopefully Kansas has another Jalon Daniels waiting for AK at QB, so he can cook his big12 style $6.99 buffet of his bag of tricks ...

Pena was not a game breaker but he had skills and was completely wasted on the jet sweeps and the first 6 games.