Bill O'Brien introduced as Penn State's new coach

STATE COLLEGE -?

Penn State officials have introduced Bill O'Brien, New England Patriots' offensive coordinator, as its new head coach.

"This is unbelievable," O'Brien said at the 11:30 a.m. news conference, where he stood at the podium with Rodney Erickson, the university's president, and Acting Athletic Director David Joyner. "I cannot tell you how excited I am to get started."

Affirming his commitment to the program that legendary coach Joe Paterno built, O'Brien said, "The standard for Penn State football remains very high and always will."

O'Brien signed a 5-year contract potentially worth $2.5 million a year. In addition to his base salary of $950,000 and benefits paid by the university, he will earn $1 million from television and radio contracts and $350,000 from Nike. The contract allows for up to $200,000 a year in university-paid incentives, depending on O'Brien's performance. And the base salary will go up 5 percent in each year of the contract.

O'Brien said he met with Erickson two nights ago and that "tough questions from me and from them."

At the news conference, Erickson called O'Brien committed to "graduation, athletic achievement and postgraduate success."

Paterno had been the university's head coach for 46 years when he was dismissed in November in the fallout of a scandal that developed amid allegations that his former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky had sexually abused eight boys. In December, the state attorney general's office filed more charges against Sandusky after two additional alleged victims came forward.

O'Brien said he understands that there is controversy around his hire and said, "We respectfully request the opportunity to earn your trust."

O'Brien's son Michael attended the 11:30 a.m. presss conference in a Penn State No. 25 jersey.

After praising Paterno, O'Brien ended the news conference by reciting the school's victory chant, "We are Penn State."

Source: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-penn-state-coach-obrien-0107-20120107,0,7289326.story?track=rss

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