Penn State Football: Bill O’Brien Hasn’t Decided what Action to Take with Devon Smith

PHILADELPHIA – Penn State football coach Bill O’Brien said on Monday he has yet to take action regarding senior wide receiver Devon Smith, who was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

At the inaugural Coaches Caravan event at the Doubletree Hotel in Philadelphia, O’Brien said that while Smith was charged on Saturday, he wasn’t notified until Monday.

The two have yet to discuss the incident, but O’Brien said whatever happens between him and Smith will remain private.

‘He’s a good kid,’ O’Brien said. ‘I believe in him and his abilities.’ 

O’Brien booted former Penn State defensive end Shawn Oakman off the team in late February. Oakman was charged last month with disorderly conduct, harassment and retail theft, according to university police, stemming from an incident that occurred around 5 p.m. on Feb. 25 in Pollock Commons.

In other news from the caravan Monday, O’Brien said the Nittany Lions will sing the alma mater with the Blue Band at the end of each home game.

Earlier on April 28:

Penn State senior wide receiver Devon Smith was charged Saturday with possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, Penn State Police records show.

The citations stem from a March 14 police search and seizure of Smith’s on-campus apartment.

Former defensive end Jack Crawford, who was listed on the police search warrant as a resident of the apartment, was not charged.

Smith missed most of the spring with a sprained left foot. A team spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment on Smith’s status with the football team.

Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien had previously deferred any disciplinary action against Smith until he could gather more information. But that was before Smith was formally charged.

O’Brien is set to depart on a 18-stop, 17-day coaches’ caravan Monday morning.

Related coverage:

• Penn State Football: Crawford, Smith Apartment Searched

• Penn State Football: Crawford Hopes to Clear Air on Apartment Search