Over the approaching days, we'll be breaking down possible candidates for Penn State's Offensive Coordinator opening, and why we would like them to urge the gig. Yesterday, Craig laid out the case for SMU's Rhett Lashlee. Today, it's Ohio State quarterbacks coach and spending game coordinator Mike Yurcich.
BIO:
Name, Age - Mike Yurcich, 44
Current position - pass Coordinator/Quarterbacks, Ohio State
Experience - Six years as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State, Edinboro and Shippensburg from 2005-2012.
WHY i would like HIM:
Mike Yurcich was actually a reputation that we tossed around back in 2015 when John Donovan was abandoning and Joe Moorhead was brought on. His diary at Oklahoma State speaks for itself, and his connections to Pennsylvania with a lengthy coaching career at both Edinboro and Shippensburg shouldn't be overlooked either.
While in Stillwater, the Pokes averaged 38 points and over 478 yards per game. Four of Oklahoma State's 10 best offensive years in program history came with Yurcich calling the shots and training its signal callers. The 2017 edition, however was special. Led by quarterback Mason Rudolph, the Cowboys led the state en passant at over 389 yards per game, and were second in total offense with over 568 yards per game. They featured a pair of 1,000 yard receivers, and a 1,000 yard rusher also. Rudolph took home the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, while receiver James Washington won the Biletnikoff Award because the nation's top receiver.
Ryan Day hired him faraway from the opposite OSU earlier this year, and along side Kevin Wilson, the trio put together the nation's most potent scoring offense (48.7 points per game), behind Yurcich pupil Justin Fields.
Joe Brady may be a hot name, and with good reason after LSU's success this year. Yurcich's diary is mighty impressive in its title, however, especially with six years of play calling experience under Mike Gundy.
LIKELIHOOD OF HIRE: 20%
It seems unlikely that Yurcich would jump ship in Columbus after only one year, especially for an enormous Ten foe. However, given his Pennsylvania ties, it's definitely a call James Franklin should make.