Penn State Football: Staff Moves Highlighted By Seider Hire

Penn State made the news official on Thursday as James Franklin announced that Ja’Juan Seider will join the staff as the running backs coach. Seider was recently on the Florida staff at the same position.

The move comes just a day after former receivers coach Josh Gattis officially announced he was leaving Penn State for Alabama.

In addition, defensive line coach Sean Spencer has been elevated to associate head coach and David Corley will now serve as the wide receivers coach. Corley was hired just weeks ago to coach running backs but had previously coached receivers at Army.

“As soon as I met Ja’Juan, I knew that he would be a great fit for our staff,” Franklin said in a release. “He comes highly recommended from a lot of people in the industry I respect. Ja’Juan has a quiet confidence and a natural charisma that will relate well to our running backs. His experience as a player and a coach will complement our offensive scheme. He is also widely regarded as one of nation’s top recruiters and his ties to this region will be beneficial. We are excited to have Ja’Juan and his family join this community.”

‘My family and I are so excited to join the Penn State staff in Happy Valley,” Seider added. “We are honored and privileged to be a part of a football program that is so rich in tradition. I believe Coach Franklin is doing something special here and I can’t wait to chase championships in Big Ten country. Hello Nittany Nation. We Are!!”

The moves ought to complete the offensive staff for Penn State that has not been short on changes this offseason. Seider marks the fourth new face in a new role on Penn State’s offensive staff. Prior to his time at Florida, Seider spent three seasons at West Virginia University.

“For the last seven years, Sean has done a tremendous job coaching and developing talent,” Franklin commented. “He is deeply admired by both our players and coaches. Sean’s boundless energy, on and off the field, is what makes him unique. I appreciate his loyalty to our program and he is very deserving of this role.”

Penn State will now focus on spring practice just around the corner. The annual Blue White game is scheduled for April 21st at Beaver Stadium.

The offensive staff is as follows: 

OC/QB: Ricky Rahne 

TE: Tyler Bowen

OL: Matt Limegrover

RB: Ja’Juan Seider

WR: David Corley