As Penn State Football continues its search for its next defensive coordinator, an internal candidate has emerged, perhaps as a favorite to land the position.

Nittany Lions safeties coach Anthony Poindexter told reporters during a recent press conference that he has had “several conversations” with head coach James Franklin, about Penn State’s defensive coordinator vacancy.

With Manny Diaz’s departure to Duke to become a head coach, Poindexter and analyst Robb Smith will be the co- defensive coordinators for the Peach Bowl against the Ole Miss Rebels.

“Anthony’s part of that discussion,” head coach James Franklin said of the long-term role. “We’ve had really good conversations, me and Anthony.”

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Why Anthony Poindexter Makes Sense as Penn State Football DC

Under Diaz‘s exceptional leadership, the Nittany Lions boasted the best defense yardage-wise in the country, conceding only 223.3 yards per game.

They ranked third against the pass and the run, yielding just 153.6 and 69.7 yards per game, respectively.

Penn State Football also stood third in the country, allowing a mere 11.4 points per game.

Given this recent success, it’s logical for the Nittany Lions to prefer keeping the defensive coordinator position within the team.

James Franklin Confident in Anthony Poindexter

Pondexter has been coaching for 21 years and spent half of his years under the co-defensive coordinator or defensive coordinator title. He was the defensive coordinator for UConn from 2014-16. In 2015, UConn earned a berth in the St. Petersburg Bowl, largely thanks to its defensive efforts.

Poindexter guided a defense that led the American Athletic Conference in total defense (33rd in FBS), red zone defense (7th), scoring defense (15th), and passing yards allowed (20th).

“It starts with Anthony Poindexter, right? Anthony’s been phenomenal, he’s been awesome, he’s been extremely valuable … And then Robb became available,” Franklin said on Friday in a press conference. “(He’s) from Pennsylvania and we have a number of people in common that he trusts that know me, and that I trust that know him.”

Poindexter became the defensive co-defensive coordinator and safety coach at Purdue from 2017-2020, joining Penn State staff. In his first season with the Boilermakers, Poindexter helped lead the defensive unit to a 17.7-point improvement in scoring defense from 38.2 points allowed per game in 2016 to 20.5 in 2017.

Poindexter has helped develop many safety measures in All-League Honors.

Before his coaching career, Poindexter was a standout safety for the Virginia Cavaliers. He was All-American in 1998 and All-ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He played in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns. Poindexter was on the Ravens in 200 when they
won the Super Bowl.

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