Penn State names John Butler as defensive coordinator to replace departed Ted Roof

By Joe Juliano, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: January 10, 2013

Penn State defensive coordinator Ted Roof has resigned after one season to take the same job at Georgia Tech. Coach Bill O'Brien announced Wednesday that secondary coach John Butler will replace Roof.

Butler, a graduate of La Salle High, also worked with the Nittany Lions' special teams and was instrumental in sophomore kicker Sam Ficken's overcoming a horrendous start to make his last 10 field-goal attempts.

Roof played linebacker for Georgia Tech from 1982 through 1985, earning all-ACC honors as a senior. He returned to his alma mater in 1998 and served as defensive coordinator from then through 2001 while coaching on the same staff as O'Brien.

"Ted and I have known each other a long time," O'Brien said in a statement. "Ted is a great coach and person. He earned the respect of our players, and they enjoyed playing for him."

Georgia Tech said Roof, who coached the defense on Auburn's 2010 national championship team, must complete a background check before his hiring can become official. The Yellow Jackets finished 7-7 in 2012 but allowed 40 or more points six times.

Last season, the Nittany Lions (8-4) finished 16th in the nation in points allowed (19.1 per game) and 29th in total defense (353.4 yards per game). He was helped by the fact that Penn State had a strong senior presence on defense led by linebackers Michael Mauti and Gerald Hodges and tackle Jordan Hill.

Butler, 39, worked with Roof in 2008 on the Minnesota staff before moving to South Carolina and to Penn State last season.

Contact Joe Juliano at jjuliano@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter @joejulesinq.

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