Penn State QBs coach Danny O’Brien joining James Franklin at Virginia Tech, per source
Another Penn State assistant will follow James Franklin to Virginia Tech.
Quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien is set to join the Hokies, according to a source. He joins tight ends coach Ty Howle, who will also be joining Franklin but as the team’s offensive coordinator.
O’Brien’s departure was first reported by ESPN on Tuesday night.
He joined Penn State’s staff in 2021 when Franklin hired him as an offensive analyst. O’Brien spent two seasons in that role, before transitioning to being a graduate assistant in 2023. Following a year in that role he became the team’s quarterbacks coach, helping mentor starting quarterback Drew Allar. O’Brien was joined in the quarterbacks room by Trace McSorley, who was named assistant quarterbacks coach ahead of the 2025 season.
O’Brien’s relationship with Franklin dates back to their days at Maryland when Franklin was the team’s offensive coordinator and O’Brien was a quarterback.
New Penn State head coach Matt Campbell will likely rebuild the coaching staff with a mix of coaches from Iowa State (where he previously coached), Penn State holdovers and other coaches from around the country.
