Penn State’s Anthony Poindexter puts ego aside to do what he does best [opinion]

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Dec. 28—ATLANTA — Anthony Poindexter could be bitter about James Franklin overlooking him for the Penn State defensive coordinator job a second time.

He could be resentful towards Tom Allen, the former Indiana coach who Franklin hired to replace Manny Diaz earlier this month.

Poindexter is neither, which is no surprise to those who know the Nittany Lions’ safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator.

“I don’t have to be in charge,” he said Thursday. “I don’t have to be the guy. I already had those moments in my life. I just want to work with a really good organization and with really good people and win games.

“That’s what Coach Franklin created here. He created that for me and my family. I just like to come to work, have a good time and coach football. That’s just me.”

Poindexter and analyst Robb Smith will call the defense when Penn State plays Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl Saturday at noon (TV-ESPN) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

He has little or no ego, even though he has the credentials to have a rather large one.

He was a marvelous safety at Virginia, a two-time consensus All-American who was regarded as one of the fiercest hitters and competitors in college football. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2020 shortly before he joined Penn State’s staff.

Wednesday night, Poindexter visited the nearby Hall of Fame with the Lions traveling party and saw his display in person for the first time.

“It was kind of humbling,” he said. “It was special that I got to do it with the team I’m coaching. Most people around me know I don’t really talk about my career or my playing days. If the kids ask, I tell them. Most of them these days don’t ask.

“Now if they went to the College Football Hall of Fame and clicked on the highlights, they probably thought, ‘Oh, maybe he could play.’ It was a special moment.”

Penn State…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/penn-states-anthony-poindexter-puts-044900223.html

Author : Reading Eagle, Pa.

Publish date : 2023-12-29 04:49:00

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