NEW BLOOD

Penn State Hires New Head Coach

Bill O’Brien to replace Joe Paterno.

After an eight-week search, Penn State has settled on a replacement for former head coach Joe Paterno in the wake of the Sandusky scandal. New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien has agreed to take on the tough role, sources told ESPN on Thursday. O’Brien, who has never served as head coach, will finish the season with the Patriots before assuming his new position at Penn State. While he has no affiliation with the school, O’Brien was an assistant coach at the college level for 14 seasons before joining the Patriots in 2007. Details of the deal are unknown, but sources told ESPN an official announcement will be made on Saturday.