Donovan Out as Penn State Offensive Coordinator

UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State head football coach James Franklin has announced that offensive coordinator and tight ends coach John Donovan has been relieved of his duties, effective immediately.

The change was announced by Penn State today. It follows a 55-16 loss to Michigan State in the regular season final game yesterday. The Nittany Lions went 0-for-November and finished the regular season at 7-5.

“I have tremendous respect for John and the work he has put in over the last five years,” Franklin said. “I wish him and his family nothing but the best in the future.”

Donovan spent the last five seasons on Franklin’s staff as offensive coordinator at Penn State (2 years) and Vanderbilt (3 years). He also spent 10 seasons at Maryland (2001-10), serving in several roles, including quarterbacks coach, running backs coach and assistant recruiting coordinator. From 1998-00, Donovan was the offensive graduate assistant at Georgia Tech, where he earned his master’s degree in economics. His coaching career began as a secondary assistant at Villanova in 1997.

The release said Franklin will immediately begin a national search for Donovan’s replacement.

The Nittany Lions are bowl eligible for the 46th time. Penn State’s 45 bowl appearances are the ninth-most among FBS schools at the start of the season. The announcement of the bowl game and opponent will be announced Sunday, Dec. 6.