Tight ends coach Ty Howle, a former Penn State offensive lineman, is leaving the Nittany Lions to join the coaching staff at Virginia Tech, ESPN reported Tuesday.
The 34-year-old Howle will become the offensive coordinator for former Penn State coach James Franklin, now the head coach at Virginia Tech.
Howle played for the Lions from 2009-13 before beginning his coaching career as a graduate assistant at North Carolina State in 2014. He went on to coach at Western Illinois for four seasons before returning to Penn State as an analyst in 2020.
He became tight ends coach the following season and was named co-offensive coordinator in 2023.
Howle has coached several tight ends who have gone on to the NFL: Pat Freiermuth, Brenton Strange, Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren.
Interim head coach Terry Smith said Tuesday morning that he wasn’t sure whether Howle will coach with Penn State in preparation for the Pinstripe Bowl.
“He’s a tremendous asset,” Smith said about Howle. “He’s recruited unbelievable tight ends. He’s an unbelievable coach. He’s done a tremendous job for us and he has had a big part in the success that we’ve had here.
“I couldn’t be more proud of him. I’m just happy for all of his opportunities and what he’s brought to Penn State.”
Last week, Franklin hired Brent Pry as the Virginia Tech defensive coordinator. Pry was on Franklin’s Penn State staff from 2014-21 before he left to become the Hokies head coach. He was fired in September after an 0-3 start in his fourth season.
Durant opts out: Defensive tackle Zane Durant became the first draft-eligible Penn State player to opt out of the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson when he made his announcement Monday night.
A team captain and three-year starter, Durant played in all 54 games in his Lions career and received All-Big Ten honorable mention each of the last three seasons.
He enjoyed his best season in 2024 when he had 42 tackles, 11 in the backfield and three sacks. He made his only interception earlier this season against Nevada.
“Zane has meant a lot to what we’ve done defensively here at Penn State,” Smith said. “He anchored our defensive line. He’s played tremendous football for us. We’ve gotten great value from Zane. We’re super happy and we’re super proud of him.”
Several other players who will be draft eligible next year have not yet announced whether they will play in the Pinstripe Bowl.
They include running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton, offensive linemen Nick Dawkins, Vega Ioane, Drew Shelton and Nolan Rucci, tight end Khalil Dinkins, wide receivers Trebor Pena, Devonte Ross and Kyron Hudson, defensive ends Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zuriah Fisher, linebackers Amare Campbell and Dominic DeLuca, cornerbacks Audavion Collins and A.J. Harris and safeties Zakee Wheatley and King Mack.
