Penn State football has added former Delaware football head coach and former Nittany Lion letterman Danny Rocco to the staff in an off-field role, according to head coach James Franklin.
“Danny Rocco [joined] our program,” Franklin said on Monday afternoon as part of his press conference marking the start of spring practice. “Not only his experience in the NFL, his experience as a head coach, his experience with coordinators. Lettermen have also been an emphasis that you’ve seen in our staff as well. You know, I could go on and on and obviously Dan Connor and so on and so forth. I think that’s been really valuable and it’s been exciting. Having these guys back involved in the program.”
As mentioned, former Penn State linebacker Dan Connor joined the staff this offseason in a defensive analyst role. The hire was the latest in a handful of additions to Penn State’s off-field staff in various analyst roles. Former Penn State defensive end Deion Barnes has also been with the program for the past few seasons as an assistant defensive line coach. Many of Penn State’s off-field additions this summer were – according to a program source – a condition of Franklin signing his most recent extension, a 10-year deal signed following in the final stages of Penn State’s 2021-22 season.
Rocco joins Penn State after five seasons at Delaware after taking over to lead the Blue Hen’s program in 2016. He was let go by Delaware in November after a 5-6 season. Prior to his time at Delaware, he was also the coach at Richmond (2012-16) and Liberty (2006-11). His coaching tenure also involved various stops at Virginia, Maryland, Texas, Boston College in addition a year with the New York Jets.
He lettered at Penn State as a linebacker in 1979 and 1980 before transferring to Wake Forest for his final two seasons of college ball.
The Nittany Lions opened spring camp on Monday, the first of 15 practices which will culminate in the annual Blue-White game on April 23. The format of that event – traditionally a scrimmage – has yet to be announced.
