ESPN.com - O'Brien named Maxwell Club's COY

ESPN.com: PSU Nittany Lions

Wednesday, December 19, 2012
O'Brien named Maxwell Club's COY

By Josh Moyer

Bill O'Brien reeled in another coaching honor on Wednesday by becoming the Maxwell Football Club's Coach of the Year, according to a Penn State spokesman.

O'Brien's name has been a fixture on award lists since he helped Penn State overcome the sanctions and move on to a surprising 8-4 record. Despite losing 10 offensive starters, O'Brien's up-tempo offense thrived under a former walk-on, third-string fullback and backup wideout.

The offense averaged about 10 points more a game in 2012, and the secondary overcame depth issues during a season when the Nittany Lions rebounded from two opening losses.

O'Brien's newest award might not be his last either. The first-year head coach is also a finalist for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year and the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year.

He was a nominee for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year, but Notre Dame's Brian Kelly picked up that honor.