Penn State football spring updates: What has Andy Kotelnicki learned about Drew Allar?

There are many moving parts around Penn State football this spring, with three new coordinators making their way to Happy Valley this offseason. But all eyes this season will be on the Nittany Lions offense under the direction of Andy Kotelnicki. The success or failure of the new-look Penn State offense in 2024 will largely hinge on Kotelnicki’s relationship with second-year starter Drew Allar. Speaking to the media for the first time since officially taking over the Nittany Lions offense, Kotelnicki detailed what he has learned about his quarterback in his first months on campus.

Andy Kotelnicki: Drew Allar ’embodies’ characteristics of self-reflection, responsibility

Andy Kotelnicki didn’t officially take control of the Penn State offense until after the Nittany Lions’ Peach Bowl loss in December. But since then, it’s been a crash course for the players and staff over the winter and into early spring. 

Beyond the Xs and Os, Kotelnicki has worked to learn the psyche of his new team. Speaking to the media for the first time since his introductory press conference last year, the new Penn State offensive coordinator explained what he’s learned about the mentality of quarterback Drew Allar. 

“The first thing [that’s stood out] is his yearning to improve all the time,” Kotelnicki said Tuesday, captured by Blue-White Illustrated. “He’s really, really good about trying to [say], ‘Okay, this happened. Why?’…He is always seeking feedback to improve himself. I think that’s really important.”

Drew Allar finished his first year as the Nittany Lions’ starter with 2,631 yards, 25 touchdowns, and two interceptions. But as the face of an offense that underwhelmed in 2023, the public perception is that Allar needs to do more this fall. The junior quarterback would agree, although his motivation is more intrinsic, says Andy Kotelnicki.

“Being a college football player, you’re going to be criticized a lot publicly,” Kotelnicki expressed. “But then you’re going to get a lot of critique from your coaches on how to improve on what you’re doing. But what we’re trying to get guys to do, and Drew kind of embodies this — and this is why I’m talking about it — we want our players to learn how to self reflect.

“And if you can get that done, if you can learn to do that — in my estimation, this is not scientific — I think that makes you better than 97% of the people out here. Because 97% of the population has never looked in the mirror and said, ‘This is what I need to improve on.’ And he embodies the idea of looking in the mirror, taking ownership — good or bad — and going and improving.”

Sense of “urgency” around Penn State football this spring

On all sides of the ball, there’s no time to waste for Penn State this spring. These 15 practices will lay the foundation for what the Nittany Lions will ultimately become in 2024. Last week, James Franklin spoke to the heightened sense of urgency around the program this month.

“I think it’s obviously really important,” Franklin said of spring practice. “It’s always important, but I think when you add different pieces of the puzzle, it magnifies it.

“Really the issues are the same as they always are, but it’s just magnified. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. We need to feel like coming out of spring ball that our players have a bunch of confidence and understanding of how we want to play in really all three phases.”

Penn State football will conclude spring practice with the Blue-White Game on April 13.