Penn State has made the decision to part ways with offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich, following a series of lackluster performances by the Nittany Lions' offense. The firing came just a day after Penn State's offense struggled in a highly anticipated showdown against the Michigan Wolverines, marking the team's second high-profile loss this season.

In an effort to reinvigorate the struggling offense, running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider and tight ends coach Ty Howle have been appointed as co-offensive coordinators. The move aims to bring new perspectives and strategies to an underperforming unit.

During Saturday's game against Michigan, Penn State's offense struggled to find its rhythm, managing only 15 points and a meager 238 yards of total offense. The passing game, in particular, was subpar, with a mere 74 passing yards. This disappointing performance echoed Penn State's previous setback against Ohio State on October 21st, where they mustered just 240 yards and failed to reach the end zone until the final minute of the game.

Yurcich, who had been the team's offensive playcaller and quarterbacks coach since 2021, had been entrusted with the task of orchestrating Penn State's offensive strategy. Previously, he had served as the quarterbacks coach at Ohio State in 2020 and spent six years as Oklahoma State's offensive coordinator.

One of the glaring issues for Penn State has been its struggle to convert on third downs. Against Michigan, the Nittany Lions managed to convert only 4 of 14 third-down attempts. This failure to sustain drives and keep the offense on the field has significantly hampered their overall productivity.

Quarterback Drew Allar, a highly touted recruit in the 2022 class, has shown promise but has struggled to consistently produce at a high level throughout the season. Allar boasts an impressive 21 touchdown passes with only one interception, but his average of 6.34 yards per attempt ranks low nationally at 115th. The lack of downfield passing has posed a significant challenge for Penn State's offense, particularly in their losses against Ohio State and Michigan. As a result, the team currently ranks 88th nationally in passing offense.

Yurcich's coaching career began in college football's lower divisions, with Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy recognizing his offensive success at Division II Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. Yurcich also had the opportunity to coach star quarterback Justin Fields while at Ohio State in 2020.

Penn State's decision to make a change in offensive leadership reflects the team's frustration with their recent performances. The appointment of Seider and Howle as co-offensive coordinators brings fresh perspectives and expertise to the table as the Nittany Lions look to turn their season around.