Penn State announced Thursday morning that Marshall defensive assistant Anthony Midget will fill the role as safeties coach in Bill O’Brien’s second year in Happy Valley.
“Anthony will be a great addition to our staff,” O’Brien stated in a university release. “He is an experienced and passionate defensive coach and recruiter. We welcome Anthony to our team and look forward to his contributions to the program.”
“It’s an honor to be a part of the Penn State family and this great University,” Midget said. “I am thankful to Coach O’Brien for the opportunity to come to Penn State and am excited to get to know the players and get ready for spring practice.”
O’Brien had been looking to fill a void following the departure of former defensive coordinator Ted Roof. Defensive backs coach John Butler was promoted, leaving his previous position vacant.
Midget coached as Georgia State’s defensive coordinator in 2012 and secondary coach and special teams coordinator since 2008. He was also an All-American defensive back at Virginia Tech before being drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2000.
From 2002 until 2007, Midget coached at Lake Worth High School in Lake Worth, Fla., where his positions included assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, defensive backs coach and running backs coach. He also coached track, weightlifting, basketball and taught physical education.
While the Nittany Lions coaching staff has focused on Penn State’s traditional recruiting grounds, southern ties with several members of the coaching staff have led to three deep-south recruits signing their national letters of intent earlier this month. Midget would not only fit the role of a young, energetic coach, but would add another tie to a region Penn State is looking to expand its influence into.
