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Penn State

Penn State loses analyst Ola Adams to on-field job at Indiana

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel12/04/23GregPickel
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Penn State analyst Ola Adams. (Credit: Nate Bauer | Blue White Illustrated)

Penn State football is losing an analyst to an on-field role at another Big Ten school. Ola Adams, who joined the Lions as a defensive analyst and analytics coordinator before the 2023 season, is leaving to become the defensive backs and safeties coach at Indiana, according to multiple reports. ESPN’s Pete Thamel shared the information first. Adams came to PSU after spending time as a secondary coach with the Denver Broncos. He has previously been the defensive coordinator at Villanova among other coaching stops.

“Ola, as we all know, especially the people that cover Penn State closely, Ola did a great job when he was the defensive coordinator at Villanova,” Lions coach James Franklin said at Big Ten Media Days back in July. “A lot of people that I know from the DMV thought very highly of him, so he’s a guy I’ve been tracking for a while.”

Adams, in what can now be seen as an indication that a move may be on the horizon, tweeted his appreciation for Penn State and defensive coordinator Manny Diaz on Monday morning.

“#1 DEFENSE in the Country No one cares who gets the credit!” Adams wrote. “Manny Diaz you are one heck of a coach and even better man. Defined what the standard was, held the players & staff to it. You made it fun to come to work everyday. Picasso creatively. We have the BEST players. Proud!”

Tracking Penn State offseason changes

Adams is the second member of the staff to leave and the first to do so since the end of the 2023 regular season. Offensive coordinator Mike Yucich did so involuntarily, of course. He was fired before the regular season ended. Will Penn State lose any more staff members? It’s still too early to say. Diaz is reportedly interested in the Duke job. Another analyst, Robb Smith, has plenty of on-field experience and could desire to return to a positon coach or coordinator role. Other Nittany Lion staffers could be targeted for promotions, as well. Andy Kotelnicki, of course, replaces Yurcich as the Penn State offensive coordinator.

As for the players, punter Alex Bacchetta, safety Jace Tutty, and receiver Cristian Driver are all in the transfer portal. Others could join them there in the days ahead. The team is preparing to face Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl. Kickoff is set for Noon ET on Dec. 30 in Atlanta. ESPN will televise the game.

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