Source: Penn State OC Andy Kotelnicki in Final Group of Candidates for WVU Job

Now almost a full week into the WVU search, it seems like West Virginia is down to a final group of candidates to be their next head coach. WV Sports Now can also now confirm that Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki is among those select candidates as a finalist.

Both WVU and Penn State sources tell WVSN that Kotelnicki has always been a strong candidate for West Virginia director of athletics Wren Baker. Kotelnicki was the first official candidate, emerging the same night WVU officially announced the firing of Neal Brown. WVSN was first to report Kotelnicki was expecting to interview for the WVU job.

Kotelnicki, 43, will coach in the Big Ten Championship Game later tonight, and helping the Nittany Lions win their first conference title since 2016 which would be quite an accolade to have for his first season in Happy Valley.

Penn State is 11-1, and the offense, for the most part, has performed well, averaging 33.3 points per game. Under Kotelnicki’s watch, Penn State’s offense has become known for its excitement, something most feel the unit lacked from 2021-23 under Mike Yurcich.

Kotelnicki would be familiar with the Big 12 based on his experience at Kansas, where he led the Jayhawk offense for three seasons. However, he would be a different type of choice for Baker since he does not have head coach experience.

It’s also believed Rich Rodriguez is a candidate, but not the favorite for Baker. Rodriguez won his first FBS conference title (Conference USA) since leaving WVU in 2007 when his Jacksonville Gamecocks rans all over Western Kentucky to the tune of 52-12 on Friday night.

For a related story, Mike Asti gave his thoughts on how the WVU football job compares to the other open ones in the Power Four.

WV Sports Now’s partner Nittany Sports Now helped with this story.