While very subjective, I would rank Penn State's eight prior Defensive Coordinators (since 1935) as follows, based on the performance of the units they lead. Four of them were former Penn State players and four came from other schools.
1. Jim O'Hora (1954-1976) It is hard to argue with the results achieved by Penn State defenses under Jim O'Hora. Hired as a defensive line coach in 1946 and promoted in 1954, his defenses were always dominant and well-prepared. He installed Paterno's revolutionary 4-4 scheme in 1967 and was one of the greatest developers of interior defensive linemen in college football history.
2. Al Michaels (1936-1953) While the term Defensive Coordinator wasn't used until later, former PSU QB Michaels was Penn State's top defensive strategists and scout beginning in the mid-1930s. His 1938 defense still hold the NCAA record for best pass defense in a season while the 1947 unit still holds the record for best rush defense in a season. He left to be the DC at NC State and retired in 1974. His defenses had a total of 62 shutouts in his career.
3. Jerry Sandusky (1977-1999) While his work ethic & recruiting were questionable later in his career and his personal conduct is beyond inexcusable, there is no question that the guy could put together a great game plan, especially in big games. His defenses were consistently strong despite turnover of assistant coaches and the emergence of more sophisticated offenses.
4. Tom Bradley (2000-2011) After a bit of a rough start, Bradley's defenses began to rate among the best in the nation starting around 2004. A great leader and recruiter, he was also one of the best developers of defensive backs in school history.
5. Brent Pry (2016-2021) A very effective linebackers coach, Pry's defenses tended to give up more points and yards than are the norm at Penn State, but he emerged as a strong tactician and recruiter.
6. Bob Shoop (2014-2015) James Franklin's first DC overcame scholarship limits to lead two solid units before leaving for Tennessee. His stock drops largely due to his 2015 squad suffering a late-season meltdown.
7. Ted Roof (2012) Brought in by Bill O'Brien, Roof inherited a ton of talent and two great assistants (Larry Johnson & Ron Vanderlinden) while putting together a respectable defensive unit before leaving for Georgia Tech.
8. John Butler (2013) A skilled defensive backs coach, Butler's lone year as DC was a disaster, giving up 32 points per game in conference play.
1. Jim O'Hora (1954-1976) It is hard to argue with the results achieved by Penn State defenses under Jim O'Hora. Hired as a defensive line coach in 1946 and promoted in 1954, his defenses were always dominant and well-prepared. He installed Paterno's revolutionary 4-4 scheme in 1967 and was one of the greatest developers of interior defensive linemen in college football history.
2. Al Michaels (1936-1953) While the term Defensive Coordinator wasn't used until later, former PSU QB Michaels was Penn State's top defensive strategists and scout beginning in the mid-1930s. His 1938 defense still hold the NCAA record for best pass defense in a season while the 1947 unit still holds the record for best rush defense in a season. He left to be the DC at NC State and retired in 1974. His defenses had a total of 62 shutouts in his career.
3. Jerry Sandusky (1977-1999) While his work ethic & recruiting were questionable later in his career and his personal conduct is beyond inexcusable, there is no question that the guy could put together a great game plan, especially in big games. His defenses were consistently strong despite turnover of assistant coaches and the emergence of more sophisticated offenses.
4. Tom Bradley (2000-2011) After a bit of a rough start, Bradley's defenses began to rate among the best in the nation starting around 2004. A great leader and recruiter, he was also one of the best developers of defensive backs in school history.
5. Brent Pry (2016-2021) A very effective linebackers coach, Pry's defenses tended to give up more points and yards than are the norm at Penn State, but he emerged as a strong tactician and recruiter.
6. Bob Shoop (2014-2015) James Franklin's first DC overcame scholarship limits to lead two solid units before leaving for Tennessee. His stock drops largely due to his 2015 squad suffering a late-season meltdown.
7. Ted Roof (2012) Brought in by Bill O'Brien, Roof inherited a ton of talent and two great assistants (Larry Johnson & Ron Vanderlinden) while putting together a respectable defensive unit before leaving for Georgia Tech.
8. John Butler (2013) A skilled defensive backs coach, Butler's lone year as DC was a disaster, giving up 32 points per game in conference play.
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