On Sunday, dual reports from ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen and USA Today's John Saraceno indicated that New England Patriots offensive ccoordinator Bill O'Brien was close to being named Joe Paterno's replacement at Penn State.
It didn't take long for acting athletic director David Joyner, leader of the university's six-person search committee, to dismiss the report. Check out the video below via Fight On State's YouTube channel.
"Don't believe anything you read in the newspapers," Joyner said. "There is no deal with anybody."
He went on to deny that there is even a leading candidate for the position.
Meanwhile, the Boston Herald reported late Sunday evening that all is quiet on O'Brien's end as well.
I spoke with O’Brien’s agent Joe Linta, who told me over the phone that his client’s goal is clear: "Everybody’s dream, like his, is to be an NFL coach."
That is not to say he’s not interested in Penn State. It’s just, there has been no contact and no negotiations. He may be their top candidate, as reported, but nothing has progressed.
In addition, O’Brien won’t take anything without seeing what the NFL world has to offer.
At the very best, the progression of this reported marriage is not nearly as far down the road as initial reports indicated. At worst, the reports were wrong. Time will tell.
For the latest on the Penn State coaching search, stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh.