Penn State Fires Offensive Coordinator After 15-Point Performance vs. Michigan

The Nittany Lions part ways with Mike Yurcich less than a day after the program’s dismal outing against the Wolverines.

Penn State has fired offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich after the Nittany Lions recorded another depressing offensive performance in the team’s 24–15 loss to Michigan on Saturday afternoon, according to Jon Sauber of the Centre Daily Times. 

Yurcich’s departure comes after Penn State registered its second bleak performance offensively against a top-three college football team in the last four weeks. Yurcich, who was in his third season at Penn State, was hired to lead the Nittany Lions’ offense in ’21 after Kirk Ciarrocca was dismissed.

Penn State (8–2) entered Saturday’s game ranked No. 15 in scoring offense (37.7 points per game), No. 90 in passing yards, No. 74 in total offense and No. 46 in rushing yards per game. However, in Saturday’s loss, Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar completed 10-of-22 passes for 70 yards and one touchdown.

With Penn State parting ways with Yurcich, the program will begin its search to find its sixth coordinator during James Franklin’s regime as the Nittany Lions head coach. However, Penn State has not shared a timeline for hiring its next offensive coordinator. Running back coach Ja’Juan Seisder and tight ends coach Ty Howie will share the interim position, according to Penn Live’s Johnny McGonigal.

Penn State has two games remaining in the 2023 campaign that include a home matchup with Rutgers in Week 12 and a road clash against Michigan State on Nov. 24 in Detroit.