Penn State Assistant Coach Herb Hand Moves On to Auburn

On Monday, Penn State Nittany Lions offensive line coach Herb Hand became the second member of head coach James Franklin’s staff in the last three days to leave. Hand was hired by Auburn University coach its offensive line. Hand is now reunited with Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn. The pair worked together as co-offensive coordinators at Tulsa in 2007 and 2008 when the Golden Hurricane boasted the nation’s top offense.

PENN STATE ASSISTANT COACH HERB HAND MOVES ON TO AUBURN

Auburn released a statement that said Hand was “especially excited to rejoin Coach Malzahn and work with him again.” He then added: “I want to thank coach James Franklin and the Penn State football program for two great years and I wish them nothing but the best.” Up until now, Hand had worked on Franklin’s staff for five years: three at Vanderbilt, then two at Penn State. The same is true for defensive coordinator Bob Shoop, who announced Saturday that he was departing Happy Valley to take the same position at the University of Tennessee.

The Nittany Lions’ offensive line encountered many difficulties during Hand’s two seasons. The team racked up 83 sacks, all but one involving quarterback Christian Hackenberg. Penn State rushed for an average 134.2 yards per game last season, and were ranked 106th in the nation.

The Nittany Lions lost 24-17 to the Georgia Bulldogs in the Taxslayer Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla., on Jan. 2.

A member of Penn State’s offensive line, wide receiver Geno Lewis, announced Monday on Twitter that he would be transferring to Oklahoma for his last year of eligibility. Lewis’s playing time and production this season plunged compared to his 2014 numbers.

PHOTO: Penn State Offensive Coordinator Herb Hand and his wife