2019 Penn State Offense - James Franklin & Ricky Rahne

The 2019 Penn State Nittany Lions offense, led by head coach James Franklin and offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne, played a crucial role in the team’s success that year, helping Penn State to a 11-2 record and a victory in the Cotton Bowl over Memphis. The offense was balanced, featuring both a strong running game and a capable passing attack. While Penn State was known for its physicality and ability to control the tempo of games, the offense was complemented by a tough defense, creating a well-rounded team.

Ricky Rahne, in his second season as Penn State’s offensive coordinator, implemented a spread, up-tempo offense that combined elements of both the pro-style and spread concepts. Penn State’s offense focused on:

Tempo: The offense played fast, using quick snaps and trying to catch defenses off guard.
RPO (Run-Pass Option): A significant part of the offense was built around RPOs, where quarterback Sean Clifford would make quick reads and decide whether to hand the ball off, run, or throw based on the defense's reaction.
Versatility: The scheme featured a balance between the running and passing games, keeping defenses guessing.

The 2019 Penn State offense was balanced and effective, contributing significantly to one of the better seasons in recent program history. While the team fell short of winning the Big Ten, their offensive scheme under James Franklin and Ricky Rahne showcased versatility and explosiveness. The emergence of young stars like Journey Brown, Sean Clifford, and Pat Freiermuth provided a foundation for the team to build on in future seasons.

Following the 2019 season, Ricky Rahne departed Penn State to become the head coach at Old Dominion, marking the end of his tenure as the Nittany Lions’ offensive coordinator. His departure led to Kirk Ciarrocca taking over the offense in 2020.