[PennLive] This was a strategic mission of sorts by O’Brien. By having Linta throw his name open to NFL openings and having his agent field offers, he was able to gain additional leverage that allowed him to accomplish structural and personnel changes at Penn State that will be forthcoming. O’Brien declined to be specific about those changes when asked but he did not deny those aims.
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 man who first person who contacted O’Brien about the job 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 Pegula donated a $1.3 million gift to be added to O’Brien’s salary in the coming year that will bump his total compensation to $3.6 million.
Also hearing rumors that O’Brien wanted better recruiting tools, and major changes made.
Ps. Pegula is a boss man.
