Penn State could look to replace Bill O'Brien with Greg Schiano, says NFL Network

Nittany Lions athletic director Dave Joyner might already have his new coach picked out.

By Patrick Vint Dec 29, 2013, 10:34am EST

Penn State athletic director Dave Joyner is already pushing to hire Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano in the event of Bill O'Brien leaving for the Houston Texans, according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapaport.

From #NFLGameDay: Penn State is preparing to lose Bill O’Brien. Their AD is ready to make a strong push for #Bucs coach Greg Schiano.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 29, 2013

Penn St. AD Dave Joyner is mulling flying down to Tampa soon to make a push for Schiano in person. Schiano has said he wants to stay in NFL
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 29, 2013

Rapaport is also reporting that O'Brien has told assistants to prepare for the move.

NFLN's @RapSheet also reported that #PennState HC Bill O'Brien has told staff members at PSU to be ready to join him in the NFL.
— Greg Pickel (@GregPickel) December 29, 2013

O'Brien reportedly interviewed with the Texans this week. Previous reports indicated that the Texans would continue interviewing other candidates, and O'Brien told a recruit that he is staying in Happy Valley.

Schiano, who coached for 11 seasons at Rutgers before joining the Buccaneers two years ago, has widely been considered one of the favorites for the Penn State job should it open. Schiano was a Penn State assistant in the early 1990s and is a graduate of nearby Bucknell University. He compiled a 68-67 record at Rutgers, winning five bowl games in his last six seasons. Schiano has been on the hot seat this year in Tampa, with the Bucs just 4-11 heading into Sunday's season finale at New Orleans.