In the modern day and age, the leaders surrounding Penn State’s football program are much more than coaches. They’re members of pop culture and Happy Valley lore, and even calling them celebrities isn’t too much of a stretch. At the very least, they’re local celebrities.

With the advent of social media in our daily lives and a head coach that doesn’t think Facebook and Twitter are called Spacebook and Tweeter, the football coaches are more visible than ever. Here are some of the best impressions the staff has made on Twitter.

The Cute

Want 2 take the time 2 wish the Leader of OUR FAMILY Happy B-Day, @coachjfranklin hope u enjoy ur day! #PSUnrivaled #WeAre #FliptheScript

— Josh Gattis (@Coach_Gattis) February 2, 2015

We start off with offensive recruiter and wide receiver coach Josh Gattis imitating James Franklins’ (in)famous birthday tweets.

#WeAre….Better! 5:21 am my little star entered this world healthy! Jace Jordan Gattis! @tesagattis We Are blessed! pic.twitter.com/lQFwrNlWVm

— Josh Gattis (@Coach_Gattis) December 16, 2014

That moment when u on instagram taking a selfie with ur serious look & hat when u really bald! Lol My Son I love him! pic.twitter.com/rIXoeqyU3X

— Josh Gattis (@Coach_Gattis) January 16, 2015

Some more Gattis highlights come in the form of his adorable son. Just like his father, little Jace Gattis is imitating Coach Franklin too — but with his haircut, not his shorthand.

#WeAre…Aggressive. First commit for the class of 2033 is Jace Gattis!@Coach_Gattis he doesn't have a choice! pic.twitter.com/R0rI5EN3lU

— James Franklin (@coachjfranklin) February 4, 2015

Looks like Franklin liked what he saw. Move over Saquon, the next big-name recruit is already on the way.

So much personality, working hard to raise 2 strong, confident, intelligent women! No better place to raise a family! pic.twitter.com/gnkVWvSEpE

— James Franklin (@coachjfranklin) January 22, 2015

These two lovely young women have a fast track to making the team through their dad if they want it. I’d make a joke about them being able to strengthen the offensive line, but we’ll get to Herb Hand and his crew later.

The Funny

When negative recruiting goes wrong………… Don't awake a giant by throwing stones! #WeAre……..Better! #107kstrong #PSUnrivaled

— Josh Gattis (@Coach_Gattis) February 3, 2015

It isn’t necessarily the tweet that’s the funny part, it’s the context. Pitt thought that it could convince some top-tier recruits to steer away from Penn State, but got shut down. A lot.

YeeeaaaaahhhhBoooy!#PSUnrivaled#107kStrong@FlavorFlav pic.twitter.com/FwLtkIUJh4

— James Franklin (@coachjfranklin) January 17, 2015

No comment necessary. This is awesome.

https://twitter.com/Coach_ShoopPSU/status/539252344685608962

This Looks Like A Jaden Smith Tweet.

https://twitter.com/Coach_ShoopPSU/status/539015671028678656

SHOOP SMASH

The HAND

Here’s what we’ve all been waiting for, the Holy Grail of Twitter: offensive line coach Herb Hand‘s account.

That feeling you get when you wrap up a good day recruiting as a staff. pic.twitter.com/LHfPjFNpTd

— Herb Hand (@CoachHand) January 31, 2015

I almost forgot…#OurState pic.twitter.com/59PpgtwRrO

— Herb Hand (@CoachHand) January 25, 2015

#ImOut pic.twitter.com/Ec6tjoT6Q7

— Herb Hand (@CoachHand) January 23, 2015

#WeAre pic.twitter.com/E3sc0p8w9l

— Herb Hand (@CoachHand) January 22, 2015

Coach Hand’s .gif usage is nothing short of elite. The last three came from his Twitter dispute with Pitt O-line coach John Peterson, which Hand won by 107,000.

.@coachjfranklin&@FlavorFlav pic.twitter.com/w6uUGzxVzv”
Once again back is the incredible rhyme animal, the uncannable D#PublicEnemyNumberOne

— Herb Hand (@CoachHand) January 17, 2015

Hand is a known rap fan, which is evident by the undisputed best video on the internet: his a cappella performance of Eminem’s “8 Mile” at a junior development camp over the summer.

Congrats to @PennStateVBALL – that last set was was a surgical display. Ruthless. Relentless pressure. Beautiful execution.#WeAre CHAMPS

— Herb Hand (@CoachHand) December 21, 2014

Just like your Twitter game, Coach.

We Are…bigger & better.

I've never been to France but I'm feeling some type of way right now.

Turnt Uphttp://t.co/ob56iYH4pK

— Herb Hand (@CoachHand) December 13, 2014

This is another thing that Coach Hand tweeted!

And lest you forget, somehow, who Herb Hand is:

#IamTheOneWhoKnocks

— Herb Hand (@CoachHand) February 2, 2015

****

There you have it! With some of these #awesome tweets it’s a miracle the football coaching staff hasn’t broken the internet.

Photo: Bobby Chen/Onward State