Penn State football has officially hired Andy Kotelnicki as the team’s newest offensive coordinator, the program announced Friday. Kotelnicki’s hiring was first reported Thursday by The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman.

We got our guy.

Welcome to Happy Valley, Coach @Kotelnicki! #WeAre | https://t.co/6zLQaBIAWg pic.twitter.com/xAlC2gwbn6

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) December 1, 2023

“We are excited to welcome Andy, his wife, Lindsey, son, Maximus, and daughter, Joy, to Penn State,” James Franklin said in a press release. “Our search process for an offensive coordinator was extensive and throughout it, Andy’s name kept rising to the top of the list. Not only were we impressed with Andy’s history of successful offensive production, but he has proven ability to win at all levels and play to the strength of his personnel. In his 18 years as a play caller, he has a track record of coming into a program and improving offenses, especially through explosive plays, third down conversions and red zone success.”

“I would like to thank Coach Franklin and Dr. Kraft for this incredible opportunity to join Penn State Football,” Kotelnicki said. “It is a tremendous honor for me and my wife, Lindsey, to become part of a program with such a rich history of success and a tremendous family environment with an elite leader in Coach Franklin. I am excited to get to work with the tremendous staff and student-athletes we have at Penn State.”

Kotelnicki comes to Penn State from Kansas, where he led the Jayhawks as their offensive coordinator for three years. Before that, he coached at Buffalo, Wisconsin-Whitewater, University of Mary, Wisconsin-River Falls, and Western Illinois.

Kansas’ offense established itself as one of the better groups in the nation with limited talent under Kotelnicki. The Jayhawks averaged seven yards per play in 2023, which was second-best in the nation. They also averaged 33.9 points per game, 434 yards per game, and 7.01 yards per play.

Kotelnicki replaces Mike Yurcich as offensive coordinator. Yurcich was fired after Penn State’s 24-15 loss to Michigan in early November. Running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider and tight ends coach Ty Howle were named interim offensive coordinators for the final two games of the regular season.

Kotelnicki will have one chance to run Penn State’s offense this year, as the Nittany Lions are slated to play in a New Year’s Six Bowl game. Penn State’s exact destination will be announced Sunday.