Shanahan Jr. will follow former offensive line coach Phil Trautwein to Gainesville.
RIT goalie Jakub Krbecek blanked the Nittany Lions in his 44-save shutout performance.
Penn State has now lost at The Palestra two years in a row.
The Nittany Lions committed nine penalties and gave up three power play goals.
It's just the second loss on the season for the Nittany Lions.
Unlike last season, Penn State men's hockey finds themselves in strong position for the postseason at the start of January.