The accolades continue to roll in for esteemed Penn State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop, who guided the Nittany Lions to rank among the nation’s defensive elite in 2014.
Shoop’s incredible season at the defensive helm has garnered him 247Sports’ Defensive Coordinator of the Year honor.
Shoop’s unit served as a bright spot all season long, and was a unit that could be counted on repeatedly to produce, helping keep the Lions’ 114th-ranked offense within striking distance. The nation’s second ranked defense was stifling against the run, thanks in part to Shoop’s aggressive play calling and the ferocious play of middle linebacker Mike Hull, along with the rest of Penn State’s front seven.
Penn State gave up a mere 278.7 yards per game in 2014, second only to Clemson’s top ranked unit, while finishing as one of five teams in the country to allow less than 300 yards per game. The Nittany Lions excelled against the run, allowing only 100.5 yards per game – good for third in the nation – while giving up 2.95 yards per rush – better than any unit in the country. Shoop’s unit held Boston College quarterback Tyler Murphy to 57.9 percent completions, serving as a key factor in Penn State’s Pinstripe Bowl victory.
Under the tutelage of Shoop and defensive line coach Sean Spencer, Anthony Zettel emerged as a breakout star, recording 42 tackles, a team high eight sacks, and three interceptions, tying him with Adrian Amos for the team lead. Under Shoop’s watchful eye, Mike Hull broke onto the scene to lead the Big Ten in tackles with 140.
After his remarkable 2014 campaign, Shoop was a hot commodity among the collegiate coaching ranks. Many schools with openings at defensive coordinator sought Shoop’s services, but none more than LSU, which reportedly conducted a formal interview with the coach.
Despite the enticing offer from Les Miles, Shoop declined, electing to stay put at Penn State. Retaining Shoop for the foreseeable future was James Franklin’s biggest offseason coup thus far, as Shoop serves a vital purpose on staff in many regards. Shoop is a renowned recruiter, and has been recognized for his ability to maximize talent and get the most out of his players.
With the award, Shoop rightly claims his title as the predominant defensive mind in all of college football.
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