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New Penn State offensive coordinator ‘playing chess’ not checkers

By Matt Lombardo

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 09: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions passes the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the fourth quarter at TCFBank Stadium on November 9, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Minnesota Golden Gophers defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions 31-26 to remain undefeated.(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 09: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions passes the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the fourth quarter at TCFBank Stadium on November 9, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Minnesota Golden Gophers defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions 31-26 to remain undefeated.(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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Penn State offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca details his plan for the Nittany Lions’ scheme, and quarterback Sean Clifford in 2020.

Kirk Ciarrocca got the best of Penn State in 2019, derailing the Nittany Lions’ College Football Playoff hopes as Minnesota’s offensive coordinator during a Gophers’ upset victory last fall but has big plans as James Franklin’s play-caller in Happy Valley this season.

Ciarrocca has a star-studded supporting cast around quarterback Sean Clifford, including running backs Journey Brown and Noah Cain, and preseason All-American tight end Pat Friermuth at his fingertips in his first season as the Nittany Lions’ offensive coordinator in 2020.

With all of those weapons, Ciarroca’s plan for Penn State’s offense is rather simple; dictate to defenses.

“I hope you see a team that takes care of the ball and executes at a really high level,” Ciarrocca told reporters during Penn State’s media day. “I think the offense has answers. If you move your chess piece here, we know where to move our chess piece next.”

Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan passed for 3,253 yards with 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season. Meanwhile, wide receiver Tyler Johnson caught 86 passes for 1,318 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The Gophers finished 2019 ranked No. 43 in total offense, but Ciarocca guided the Big Ten’s fourth-rated passing offense.

Clifford now holds the keys of Ciarrocca’s high-octane passing attack and is confident about the Nittany Lions’ potential the new scheme.

“When you watch the tape, I think that you see an offense that is very detail-oriented. You don’t see a lot of amaze,” Clifford said, via Rivals. “When you get to know Coach Ciarrocca, you understand why. If he wants you to run your route at the third inside step, he wants you to run the route at the third inside. If it’s the second or fourth, then he’s going to get on your ass. So I think that coach has done a great job. I keep going back to the details, but that’s kind of been the name of the game with this offense right now is. Details are the most important thing.”

Penn State’s offense in 2020 has the chance to be the most talented that Ciarrocca has had the chance to call. Ciarroca did not hide his excitement about the big-play potential of the Nittany Lions’ skill-players.

“Explosive plays are very important;” he said. “I believe that from a philosophical standpoint. So, we’ve got to make sure that we find a way to create them, and part of that is executing. If we’re not making first downs, we’re not going to run enough plays to create the explosive ones that we need.”

The combination of strength of the roster, and Ciarrocca’s system, imported in one of head coach James Franklin’s most impressive coordinator hires in recent seasons has the head coach excited about his team’s potential in 2020.

“He’s a pro. He’s a football guy,” Franklin said. “He’s in here early, he’s here until late. He’s talking football, he’s thinking football, he’s eating football, he’s sleeping football. Great conversations with our staff, great conversations with the players. I know our players are excited.”

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