^UPDATE: Reports: O'Brien stays at PSU after Browns talk

[Jerry]

If he leaves and all those players stayed and could have left without penalty...

I'd be pissed if I were them.

[Reg]

ESPN.com news services

Bill O'Brien will remain coach of Penn State after interviewing this week with the Cleveland Browns, according to multiple reports Thursday.

O'Brien had previously said he would stay at Penn State after revitalizing the program in one year, but sources had told ESPN that both the Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles had him on their short list of candidates.


The Cleveland Plain Dealer first reported that O'Brien had talked to the Browns this week, but multiple media outlets reported later Thursday night that O'Brien informed Penn State he would not be leaving.

CBS Sports reported that the Arizona Cardinals and San Diego Chargers also were interested in O'Brien.

The former Patriots offensive coordinator was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year in his first season as Penn State's coach in 2012. The Nittany Lions finished the season 8-4 (6-2 Big Ten).

[Reg]

How Pegula's billions kept O'Brien at Penn State

08:22 AM ET 01.04 | For a day, Penn State fans had to worry about Bill O'Brien leaving Happy Valley. In an exclusive conversation, the second-year head coach confirmed that he was contacted by and entertained overtures from multiple NFL clubs through his agent Joe Linta. ... O'Brien acknowledged that PSU donor Terry Pegula, financier of the new Penn State hockey arena, has been a major ally in his efforts. Pegula was the first person who contacted O'Brien in late 2011 when he was eventually interviewed for the job. Though O'Brien was not specific about it, high-level PSU sources have told me that a $1.3 million donation is to be added to O'Brien's salary in the coming year that will bump his total compensation to $3.6 million.

PennLive.com

[SoonerChuck]

1.3 million raise

Loyalty is expensive