Ohio State Promotes Former Penn State Player to QB Coach

Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reported on Feb. 5 that Fessler was expected to take over for Chip Kelly, who left to take the offensive coordinator job with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Fessler, 29, spent 2024 as an offensive analyst, helping OSU win its first national championship since 2014.

Prior to the 2024 season, the NCAA limited the number of analysts to coach in practices and games. Things changed this past season and allowed Fessler to step into a more viable role.

Fessler spent time at Akron as the QB coach (2022) and offensive coordinator (2023) before briefly joining UCLA’s staff. He left with Kelly to join Kelly at Ohio State and Ryan Day. 

An Erie native, Fessler played quarterback at Penn State from 2014-2017. He only played parts of two seasons (2016, 2017), serving as a backup for Trace McSorley. 

A 5-foot-11, 180-pound QB out of Erie Cathedral Prep, Fessler played in 17 games and completed 1-of-2 passes for eight yards during the 2017 campaign. He dressed for all 13 games, according to Penn State’s website. 

After leaving PSU, Fessler joined Slippery Rock and Mississippi State the following two seasons, respectively, as a graduate assistant. 

Penn State lost to Ohio State 20-13 on Nov. 2 and will meet again at The Shoe on Nov. 1.