Another Penn State assistant is joining James Franklin down in Blacksburg.

Penn State quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien is reportedly following former head coach James Franklin to his new job, taking the same role at Virginia Tech, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

O’Brien is a rare member of Penn State’s staff who did not play for the Nittany Lions himself, playing at both Maryland and Wisconsin from 2010-12. His time with the Terrapins is where his relationship with Franklin began, as Franklin was Maryland’s offensive coordinator for O’Brien’s first two seasons in college. O’Brien transferred a second time after the 2012 season to Division II Catawba for his redshirt senior season.

After a few seasons in the Canadian Football League, O’Brien went into coaching as an offensive assistant for the BC Lions in 2020, before rejoining Franklin as an offensive analyst in 2021. His role changed over the years, becoming an offensive graduate assistant in 2023 before becoming the quarterbacks coach in 2024 after Andy Kotelnicki was hired as offensive coordinator.

O’Brien oversaw the collegiate career of Drew Allar, helping mold him throughout his four years in college, and helped current starter Ethan Grunkemeyer play winning football following Allar’s season-ending ankle injury. He’ll now look to do the same for Virginia Tech’s quarterback room, a room that includes former Penn State commit Troy Huhn.

Whether O’Brien will remain on staff through the bowl game remains to be seen. Interim head coach Terry Smith remarked on Tuesday that co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Ty Howle, who is also reportedly heading to Virginia Tech, was expected to continue in his role through the Pinstripe Bowl. If O’Brien leaves early, assistant quarterbacks coach Trace McSorley may take his place.