The 2024 Kansas football team faced challenges across multiple areas, but offensive struggles were a key issue. Untimely turnovers and questionable decision-making contributed to several losses, even though the team returned much of the roster that steered last year’s 9-4 finish. First-year offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes found himself at the center of criticism, with many pointing to his play-calling as a major factor in the team’s decline.
Grimes was the replacement for Andy Kotelnicki, Lance Leipold's longtime assistant who departed for the offensive coordinator position at Penn State. Despite a successful campaign in Happy Valley, Kotelnicki could find himself at a new school for the third time in as many years. WV Sports Now editor Mike J. Asti revealed that Kotelnicki was listed among the finalists for the Mountaineers' head coaching position.
Source: Penn State OC Andy Kotelnicki is in a final group of candidates for the WVU head coach job.
— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) December 7, 2024
Andy Kotelnicki named finalist for West Virginia job
Along with Rich Rodriguez (Jacksonville State) and Jon Sumrall (Tulane), Kotelnicki sits atop the list of potential head coaches WVU could turn to after firing Neal Brown. He seems to be neck and neck with both of the other candidates — Rodriguez is familiar with the program, coaching in Morgantown from 2001-2007.
Known as a driving force behind KU's turnaround, Kotelnicki is widely regarded as a creative offensive genius across college football. His dynamic play-calling transformed PSU into one of the nation’s best offenses. With an 11-2 record, the Nittany Lions now look to carry their success into the College Football Playoff.
Kotelnicki spent time at Wisconsin-Whitewater with Leipold for two seasons, serving as the team's offensive coordinator. He followed him to Buffalo and eventually Kansas, where he coached from 2021-2023. Penn State poached him away from Lawrence last offseason with a hefty $1.6 million contract.
Given the performance of the team in a disappointing 5-7 season, Jayhawk fans all wish he never left Kansas in the first place. However, he had a profound impact on the university and laid the blueprint for the program's revival.