Franklin adds assistant coaches
New staff to direct safeties, tight ends
Penn State head coach James Franklin bolstered his staff with two recent hires.
Anthony Poindexter officially joined the Nittany Lions Wednesday as the team’s new co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Poindexter comes to University Park from Big Ten Conference foe Purdue, where he spent the past four seasons holding the same position.
“We are excited to welcome Anthony to our staff,” Franklin said in a news release. “He brings an impressive football background both as a player and a coach.”
Franklin hired Poindexter to replace Tim Banks, who is the new defensive coordinator at Tennessee.
Poindexter started his coaching career at his alma mater, Virginia. He was a Virginia staff member for 11 seasons. Poindexter spent the final five seasons coaching safeties. He joined the Cavaliers staff in 2003 as a graduate assistant.
“He is a College Football Hall of Famer, a two-time consensus AllAmerican and won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens,” Franklin said, lavishing Poindexter with praise. “During his 18year coaching career, he has been a defensive coordinator and has worked in multiple Power Five conferences.
“Anthony’s safeties have always played hard with a nose for the ball. Anthony has an infectious personality and leads with humility. Our safeties will enjoy learning from him.”
Poindexter was an All-American safety at Virginia. He played three years in the NFL.
Virginia retired his number in 2009. If that’s not enough credentials, the College Football Hall of Fame inducted him in 2020.
“I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to be a part of the
Penn State football program,” Poindexter said in a prepared statement. “As long as I’ve played the game of football, I’ve been aware of the long-standing tradition and history of excellence here at Penn State.
“I look forward to being under the leadership and guidance of Coach Franklin. I’m inspired by his relentless desire to win. I look forward to contributing in any way I can.”
Brent Pry remains as defensive coordinator and will call the plays for the defense, as he did last season. Poindexter joins Mike Yurcich, who was hired to replace Kirk Ciarrocca as offensive coordinator.
Ty Howle also has joined Franklin’s staff as a tight ends coach. Howle was a two-year starter at Penn State and a four-year letterwinner on the offensive line from 2009-13. He started at center and left guard and was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. He played in 47 career games for the Nittany Lions, making 13 starts.
“We are excited to have Ty represent his alma mater and serve as our tight ends coach,” Franklin said recently to reporters via email. “I’ve known Ty since I first started at Penn State when he worked with our recruiting department.
“I followed his career and watched him grow into an impressive coach and tremendous leader of young men. As the son of a high school football coach, Ty’s passion for teaching the game is unmatched.”
Howle has a unique connection to the Nittany Lions. He played for Joe Paterno and Bill O’Brien. Now he will work for Franklin.
“It had always been a goal of mine to come back here. I love this place more than anything,”
Howle said. “I had a great career here, made lifelong friends, and got a degree. I owe this place so much.”
The 29-year-old Howle will replace Tyler Bowen, who left to join the Jacksonville Jaguars staff under former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer.
“I hope through my coaching I can give back to this university,” Howle said. “It’s always been a dream of mine. I wake up every morning and pinch myself. I’m tickled. I’m excited to be here.”
Howle’s ties stretch from University Park to Pittsburgh.
He spent the 2014 and 2015 seasons at N.C. State as a graduate assistant with the offensive line, working with new Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada.