While former Penn State All-Americans Brandon Short and LaVar Arrington are offering strong opposition to the reported hiring of New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, or any outside candidate, as Joe Paterno's replacement as head football coach, another former All-American is speaking out in support of O'Brien, as Mark Wogenrich of the Allentown Morning Call reports.

"I’ve been talking with Joyner, and I don’t think he’s settling for anybody at all," Conlan said. "He honestly believes this is the right guy. As for [O'Brien] being an unknown, everybody – Les Miles, Nick Saban, anybody – was an unknown at some time."

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As for comments from former players LaVar Arrington and Brandon Short not supporting the hire, Conlan said, "Brandon Short does not speak for the majority of former players. He's gone off the deep end."

Joyner, of course, refers to acting athletic director David Joyner, leader of Penn State's six-person search committee tasked with finding Paterno's replacement. As of this posting, he has yet to confirm or deny that O'Brien has been hired or will be hired in the coming hours and days. Stay tuned.

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