Penn State sophomore quarterback Steven Bench has been granted a release to transfer, according to the school.

Bench, who will complete the spring semester on campus, tweeted that he wanted to go to a school that gave him an opportunity to compete for a starting quarterback job.

Penn State coach Bill O’Brien said sophomore Tyler Ferguson and freshmen D.J. Crook, Christian Hackenburg and Austin Whipple will compete for the starting quarterback job.

Some reports had Bench even with Ferguson as the Nittany Lions finished spring practice.

Last January, Bench said O’Brien’s experience mentoring New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady influenced his decision to sign with Penn State. He played in two games as a true freshman in 2012, completing two of seven passes for 12 yards and rushing for 18 yards against Virginia. He did not complete his lone pass attempt against Purdue.

“I have been meeting with all the players this week with my evaluation of where they are at related to football and academics and to discuss what they need to work on this summer,” O’Brien said in a release. “After meeting with Steven, he informed me he wants to play elsewhere. We want what is best for Steven. I want to thank him for his contributions to the program. We wish Steven the best in the future and will assist him anyway we can.”

Penn State opens its 2013 season on Aug. 31 vs. Syracuse at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

I've decided to leave Penn State and go to a school that will give me the opportunity to compete for the QB spot and reach my full potential—
Steven Bench (@SBench12) April 24, 2013

According to Coach O'Brien, soph. QB Steven Bench has been granted a release to transfer from the football program: bit.ly/ZNuBhB—
Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) April 24, 2013

Penn State coach Bill O’Brien said the team could play a game in Ireland sometime in the near future. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Penn State is looking into playing a possible football game in Ireland in the future, head coach Bill O’Brien told reporters.

“We are definitely looking into playing in Ireland, no question about it,” he said, according to The Patriot-News.

“We’re working on an opponent and we’re working with the Big Ten on that. So that’s something that’s definitely in the works.”

NCAA sanctions handed down after the Jerry Sandusky scandal last year prohibit the football team from participating in bowl games for four seasons.

Notre Dame and Navy became the first college teams to play in Ireland when they kicked off the 2012 season at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. O’Brien didn’t specify whether a potential game in Ireland would come at the beginning of the season or at its end, in what would be a de-facto bowl game.

The Cleveland Browns have interviewed Penn State’s Bill O’Brien for their open head coaching position.. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Browns interviewed Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien this week in their search for a new coach, the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot reported Thursday.

The report adds to the Browns’ college coach-heavy list of candidates for their open position. They are expected to meet with Oregon coach Chip Kelly on Friday, and ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that they interviewed Syracuse coach Doug Marrone on Thursday.

O’Brien’s interview is noteworthy, after the coach led Penn State to an 8-4 record in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse scandal that rocked the university and the nation. O’Brien was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year.

Before Penn State, O’Brien was the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots, where he helped lead the team to the Super Bowl last season. He was hired before the NCAA handed down a four-year bowl ban and scholarship reductions as part of sanctions in the Sandusky scandal.

Mortensen reported that O’Brien’s buyout could be a significant roadblock if an NFL team were interested in hiring him. It could be worth up to $9.2 million, but Mortensen reported that it wasn’t clear if the buyout applied to an NFL gig.

Cleveland fired head coach Pat Shurmur after he led the team to a 9-23 record over the past two seasons.

Breaking: The #Browns interviewed Penn State coach Bill O’Brien this week, a source told the Plain Dealer today.

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 3, 2013

Penn State head football coach Bill O’Brien’s agent told ESPN.com that the first-year coach is staying at the school, despite rumors to the contrary.

“(O’Brien) is staying, and we’ve had no conversations with anyone else,” the agent, Joe Linta, said in the report. “In fact, he’s leaving at 6 in the morning tomorrow to go out on the recruiting trail.”

Linta also called recent talk about a buyout from the remaining eight years of the coach’s contract “irrelevant.”

O’Brien coached the Nittany Lions to an 8-4 record this season in the wake of the program receiving unprecedented sanctions from the NCAA. But rumors about O’Brien possibly leaving began circulating after he declined to commit when asked by a newspaper reporter if he would return.

The former offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots, O’Brien also reportedly drew interest from an NFL team.

O’Brien’s original contract with Penn State was worth $12 million over five years. But the deal was extended for another four years after Penn State was banned from postseason play for four years as a result of the NCAA sanctions related to the school’s conduct in connection with the Jerry Sandusky sexual assault scandal.

The report from ESPN’s Darren Rovell also clarifies O’Brien’s compensation given the school’s bowl ban, which occurred after he was hired.

Agent for Penn State coach Bill O'Brien, Joe Linta, says his client has no interest in leaving school. If he did, buyout would be $9.2M.—
darren rovell (@darrenrovell) November 27, 2012

O’Brien himself also told an Atlanta radio station that he plans to stay at Penn State, according to statecollege.com.

Bill O’Brien has coached Penn State to surprising 5-2 start. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Bill O’Brien has lifted the Penn State football program from the turmoil surrounding the NCAA sanctions that followed the Jerry Sandusky scandal. The Nittany Lions are 5-2 despite numerous distractions, restrictions and talented players transferring to non-sanctioned programs. It’s the kind of turnaround that attracts the attention of other college programs and NFL front offices looking for a coach to rejuvenate their teams; a coach like O’Brien.

O’Brien’s agent told the Altoona Mirror that Penn State need not worry about him leaving Happy Valley any time soon.

“The questions are irrelevant because he’s not going anywhere,” agent Joe Linta said by phone Sunday. “If he were going to leave Penn State, it would have been a while ago [post-NCAA sanction announcement].”

If O’Brien does entertain interest or offers, he’ll have to consider a substantial financial buyout that decreases with each year.

O’Brien’s contract is public record and can be viewed at progress.psu.edu. It clearly stipulates that if he leaves before the contract is up, he has to buy out the remaining years on the deal.

O’Brien signed a five-year contract with a base pay of $950,000 per year, plus additional compensation of $1 million per year for radio/TV and $350,000 per year from Nike. That totals $2.3 million (plus annual raises).

If he resigns early, he would have to buy out the entire $2.3 million per year, not just his base pay.

Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien said he would recruit Nittany Lion players if he were coach at another school. (Getty Images)

Penn State’s new head coach Bill O’Brien made it very clear about how he feels concerning other schools having free reign to recruit his players because of the NCAA sanctions handed down severely crippling the program’s ability to be successful on the field.

When asked if he would recruit Penn State players if he was at another school, O’Brien was emphatic in his answer.

“Hell no!” O’Brien said to a Philadelphia television station. “That’s not the right thing to do in my opinion. So I wouldn’t do that. I’m not fighting for my career, I’m fighting for Penn State. For what’s right about this football program and so at the end of the day, like I said, these coaches are playing by the rules. That’s what they’re doing.”

So far, seven players have transferred from the school: quarterback Rob Bolden (LSU), running back Silas Redd (USC), linebacker Khairi Fortt (Cal), tight end Kevin Haplea (Florida State), safety  Tim Buckley (N.C. Sate), kicker Anthony Fera (Texas) and defensive tackle Jamil Pollard (Rutgers)

“The sanctions are what they are,” O’Brien said. “They’re there for a reason, and then we move to the positives. You can’t look back on and you can’t dwell on what the sanctions are. You know what they are. These are the rules with which we play under now. And so what are the positives? There are still many, many positives.

New Penn State coach Bill O’Brien said the team is focused on moving forward. (Elsa/Getty Images)

Penn State’s football team is not focusing on the sanctions handed down by the NCAA on Monday and will look to field a competitive team in 2012, new head coach Bill O’Brien told Bonnie Bernstein in an interview Tuesday on the Dan Patrick Show.

“We’ve already put plans in place on how we’re going to play by these rules,” O’Brien said. “We’re moving forward and we’re not settling for anything other than we’re going to be the best team we can be.”

O’Brien wouldn’t comment on rumors of teams contacting specific players on his team regarding transfers, including reports that USC had reached out to running back Silas Redd.

But he did say that the transfer rule was the toughest sanction to deal with going forward. (He then backtracked some on his statement).

“Right now my main goal is to keep this 2012 team together,” he said.

O’Brien was asked who he had reached out to for advice. Bernstein mentioned that the first name to come to many people’s minds was USC coach Lane Kiffin, who had just finished his team’s bowl ban with the Trojans poised to compete for a national title.

“It’s hard to seek advice from other coaches in college because a lot of those guys are obviously interested in our players,” O’Brien said. Instead, he said he has sought advice from his wife, father, and other coaches he has worked with in the past, including New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick. He also said he has received over 150 emails and text messages that were “extremely positive.”

The best piece of advice he has heard in the aftermath of the punishment?

“You can’t dwell on the past, and you’ve got to move forward…We’re not dwelling on the past,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien had been the Patriots offensive coordinator before taking the Penn State job. When O’Brien took the job, many anticipated the program could be sanctioned. But the severity of the punishments levied by the NCAA was unforeseen at the time. Nonetheless, O’Brien said he plans to be the Nittany Lions’ coach into the future.

“I’m committed to this football team,” O’Brien said. “I feel very proud to be associated with this university. I’m proud to be leading this football team.”

New Penn State football coach Bill O’Brien has settled on senior Matt McGloin as his starting quarterback, according to a tweet from assistant athletic director Jeff Nelson.

Bill O'Brien has announced senior Matt McGloin as #PennState's starting quarterback

—
Jeff Nelson (@GoPSUJeff) June 01, 2012

O’Brien had promised to choose a starter by the end of May. McGloin, a former walk-on, and junior Rob Bolden have battled for the starting position over the past two seasons.

Bolden in 2010 became the first true freshman to start a season opener at quarterback under late Penn State head coach Joe Paterno. But after he suffered a concussion in October, McGloin took over. Last season, Bolden again began the year as the starter before giving way to McGloin.

This offseason, Bolden considered transferring but ultimately decided to stay with the Nittany Lions.

Penn State opens its season at home on Sept. 1 against Ohio University.

It’s been rumored all day, and now it’s official — Bill O’Brien will indeed be the next head coach of the Penn State football team, according to the Associated Press.

“I am thrilled to be the head coach of the Penn State football program,” O’Brien said in a statement. “As head coach of this special football program, it is my responsibility to ensure that this program represents the highest level of character, respect and integrity in everything we do.”

The university was expected to make an official announcement on the hiring of the Patriots’ offensive coordinator tomorrow morning, but in the wake of speculation all day today and an official statement already being released by former coach Joe Paterno, the athletic department broke the news early.

“We have found the man to take Penn State football forward,” acting athletic director David Joyner said. “Needless to say, we have been looking for someone with some very special qualities, beginning with a heart that beats to the values and vision of Penn State University and our Penn State football legacy and tradition.”

O’Brien, 42, is the first Penn State head coach hired in his lifetime. Paterno had been in place in Happy Valley since 1966, winning 409 games and two national championships.

While the hiring of Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien as head football coach at Penn State hasn’t yet been formally announced by the university or confirmed by acting athletic director David Joyner, that hasn’t stopped his predecessor from speaking publicly. Joe Paterno has already released a statement of congratulations to O’Brien, according to the AP.

“I understand Bill O’Brien has been named head coach, and I want to congratulate him on his appointment,” Paterno said in a statement provided by his family. “I don’t know Bill, but I respect his coaching record, and I am particularly pleased we share a connection to my alma mater, Brown.”

Paterno was fired by the university on Nov. 9 for his role in covering up the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal. He was at the helm in Happy Valley for 46 years, compiling a record 409 victories. While Paterno and the program were much maligned this fall for all of their off-field conflict, the former coach is optimistic that things will turn around in the O’Brien era.

“Despite recent commentary to the contrary, Penn State football has always been about more than winning,” Paterno said. “I am hopeful this tradition will continue.”

The university has yet to say anything official about hiring O’Brien.

“When there is something to confirm, I’ll let you know,” Joyner said.

The Penn State football program has moved on from the Joe Paterno era, naming Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien as the next head coach in Happy Valley. It’s a new era for the Nittany Lions, but according to the New York Times, a lot of insiders in the program aren’t happy.

“It would have been nice if we felt like we were part of the process,” said D.J. Dozier, a member of the 1986 national championship team. “This is a pretty important situation in transition for the university and the program. There are a lot of guys that feel a certain way. Today I have more questions than answers.”

David M. Joyner, the university’s acting athletic director, worked closely with other Penn State admistrators to make the hiring decision. Joyner, whose background is not in athletics but as an orthopedic surgeon, has gotten a lot of flak for hiring O’Brien, who has never been a head coach.

“Joyner is eminently unqualified for the job,” former booster Bill Earley told the Times. “It’s been amateurish. They acted like they were interviewing someone for the treasury of the PTA at an elementary school.”

Despite the criticism, O’Brien is expected to be formally introduced as Paterno’s successor as early as Saturday.

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien will be named the next head coach of Penn State, according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN.

Filed to ESPN: Penn State plans to make official announcement Saturday that Patriots OC Bill OBrien is new head coach #ESPN #NFL32—
Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) January 06, 2012

Reports stated that O’Brien had interviewed with the team earlier Thursday, and that he was “flattered” even being considered.

The deal will become official Saturday, according to ESPN, with the terms unknown.

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien interviewed for the head coaching position Thursday at Penn State, his agent told the Associated Press.

O’Brien’s agent, Joe Linta, told the AP his client was “flattered by the interest.”

After 14 years at the collegiate level, O’Brien joined the Patriots’ coaching staff in 2007. This has been his first season as offensive coordinator.

Long time Penn State coach Joe Paterno was fired in November after a former assistant, Jerry Sandusky, was accused of sexual abuse.

Joe Linta, the agent of New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, has said that reports that Penn State and O’Brien are close to a deal that would make his client the new head coach of the Nittany Lions are erroneous, according to the Boston Herald.

In a phone interview with the paper, Linta said that O’Brien aspires to be an NFL head coach, though that does not necessarily preclude him from taking the job at Penn State.

Linta went on to say that there is no agreement between the two parties.

“Any imminent contract signing or agreement is just off-base,” Linta told the paper. “The most important thing for him is to win the Super Bowl. But if someone is going to be interested in him in the NFL, it’s going to happen this week. He could be going somewhere else, he could be returning to the Patriots. But we’ll wait and find out if someone is interested in him and seeks permission to talk with him.”

So far, the only claim to fame for New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is the heated confrontation he had on the sidelines earlier this month with quarterback Tom Brady. But now O’Brien is making headlines again, and in a different context: He’s emerging as a candidate to become a head coach.

The Kansas City Chiefs are one of several teams expected to interview O’Brien after his season, according to NFL Network reporter Jason La Canfora. While O’Brien has enjoyed his time with Brady and Pats head coach Bill Belichick, his contract is expiring this year and he’ll have a chance to explore other options.

La Canfora also names O’Brien as a potential successor to Joe Paterno as head coach at Penn State.

O’Brien attended Brown University in the early 1990s, playing defensive end and linebacker for the Bears’ football team. He held a variety of college coaching jobs before making the leap to the NFL, joining Belichick’s staff as an assistant in 2007.

O’Brien’s Patriots are currently 12-3 and finish out the season Sunday afternoon against the Buffalo Bills.