James Franklin picks a familiar face to serve as his QB coach.
On the same day that the Virginia Tech Hokies found their offensive coordinator, head coach James Franklin landed his new quarterbacks coach. And just like new offensive coordinator Ty Howle, new quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien is a familiar name for Franklin.
The 35-year-old O’Brien started at quarterback for the University of Maryland from 2010-11, before transferring to Wisconsin in 2012. O’Brien finished his collegiate career at Catawba College in his native North Carolina. In 2010, O’Brien played in 13 games for the Terps, completing 57% of his passes for 2,438 yards, 22 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. O’Brien was named the 2010 ACC Rookie of the Year.
After his college career, O’Brien went undrafted in the 2014 NFL draft and signed with the Columbus Lions of the Professional Indoor Football League. But before he could play his first game, O’Brien signed with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League. After leading Ottawa to the Grey Cup in 2016, O’Brien signed with the Edmonton Eskimos, where he spent two seasons. O’Brien wrapped up his playing career in 2019 with the BC Lions and later retired.
He would immediately join BC’s coaching staff as an offensive assistant. In 2021, O’Brien would join Penn State’s staff as an offensive analyst, a role he would hold for two seasons before becoming the Nittany Lions’ quarterbacks coach for the past two seasons.
Why Penn State?
Franklin was Maryland’s offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach from 2008-10, so he was O’Brien’s coach when he had the most success in his college career.
While Virginia Tech has yet to confirm any of Franklin’s hirings, the Hokies have added Brent Pry (defensive coordinator), Ty Howle (offensive coordinator) and O’Brien (QB coach). Virginia Tech is expected to retain wide receivers coach Fontel Mines in some role on the new staff.
Category: General Sports
