DL coach quits PSU for Giants
In an offseason filled with staff changes, Penn State has to deal with yet another one — this time on the defensive side of the ball.
Defensive line coach Sean Spencer accepted a job with the New York Giants in the NFL, according to multiple reports.
Spencer has been with Nittany Lions coach James Franklin ever since Franklin was at Vanderbilt and was responsible for an extremely strong defensive line over his tenure at Penn State.
Among others, Spencer oversaw the development of players such as Anthony Zettel of the San Francisco 49ers, Carl Nassib of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Yetur Gross-Matos, who will almost certainly be drafted in the NFL this year.
Under Spencer, Penn State’s defensive line became one of its strongest positional units, especially in 2019. The defensive front helped the Nittany Lions finish with the fifth-best run defense in Football Bowl Subdivision, the seventh-most sacks and the 11th-most tackles for a loss.
That type of production paid off on the recruiting side, too, as Spencer was thought to be one of Penn State’s best recruiters on the staff. In the 2020 class alone, he helped the Nittany Lions lock down six defensive line signees, including four-stars Cole Brevard, Coziah Izzard and Amin Vanover.
One of his players, defensive tackle Antonio Shelton, already spoke out on Twitter, saying, “I can’t put into words how much he means to all of us, he’s the reason why we’re here. Without him, there is no us. Can’t thank him enough for all he’s done.”
Spencer’s departure marks the fourth assistant coach to leave the Nittany Lions this offseason. Former offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne left to become Old Dominion’s head coach before the Cotton Bowl, former offensive line coach Matt Limegrover parted ways with Penn State Dec. 31 and former wide receivers coach Gerad Parker left to take West Virginia’s offensive coordinator spot.
More college football
Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason hired Aaron Henry as his new cornerbacks coach, reuniting the assistant with the
Commodores’ new defensive coordinator Ted Roof. Henry spent the past three seasons as a defensive assistant at N.C. State, including 2018 when he worked for Roof and the Wolfpack went 9-3.
Soccer
The United States (3-0) defeated Panama (0-3), 8-0, in a women’s Olympic qualifying tournament at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas. Lindsey Horan scored three goals and Lynn WIlliams, Rose Lavelle, Christen Press, Tobin Heath and Jessica McDonald also scored for the U.S. team. The Americans outshot defenseless Panama, 38-1.
Auto racing
Tony Stewart, the throwback, blue-collar “People’s Champion” of NASCAR, is once again the headline act. Stewart was one of five inductees into the 11th class of NASCAR’s Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C. The three-time NASCAR champion was inducted alongside Joe Gibbs, his former team owner, and Bobby Labonte, his first NASCAR teammate. Also inducted was Waddell Wilson, an engine builder and crew chief who coincidentally was team manager of Stewart’s first foray into NASCAR. The late Buddy Baker, who raced 33 years before transitioning into a broadcast role, also was inducted.
Winter sports
Martins Dukurs of Latvia won the World Cup men’s skeleton race in St. Moritz, Switzerland, moving him closer to a record ninth overall series championship. Dukurs took the gold, while German sliders Felix Kisinger and Axel Jungk won silver and bronze, respectively. The win pushed Dukurs past Russia’s Alexander Tretiakov for the series lead with just one race left.
Olympics
Tokyo Games organizers are trying to shoot down rumors that this year’s event might be canceled or postponed because of the spread of a new virus. Japan has so far reported no deaths from the coronavirus that has killed more than 200 people in China. Japanese organizers have hesitated to say much for several days, but on Friday addressed the rumors. So did the International Olympic Committee, which also has said little. The Olympics open July 24, just under six months away. “We have never discussed cancelling the games,” Tokyo organizers said.
• Wheelchair basketball was removed from the 2024 Paralympic program, and could be cut from the upcoming Tokyo Games as well. The International Paralympic Committee and the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation are in a dispute about how players are graded and which ones should be eligible to compete. The IPC wants to reassess some wheelchair basketball players hoping to compete at the Tokyo Paralympics and block any it considers ineligible.