Earlier today, it was officially announced that defensive line coach Larry Johnson would fill in as Penn State’s interim head coach while the university looks for its replacement for Bill O’Brien.

Predictably, Johnson — who has been at the school since 1996 and has established himself as one of the premier position coaches in the country — has received almost unanimous support from his current and former players, who have taken to Twitter because they believe that his interim title should be removed and that Johnson should become the school’s next head coach.

I know me and many other players would love to have coach Johnson as our head coach, he’s a great leader and will be a great head coach

— Deion Barnes (@DBarnes_18) January 2, 2014

Just keep coach J and Fitz and I’m cool lol — Adrian Amos (@PSU_Amos_4) January 2, 2014

Daydreaming..Coach Johnson HC at PSU…@LaVarArrington as LB coach…find a OC and other staff and lets roll #RecruitingOn100 #PSU — Adam Taliaferro (@Tali43) January 2, 2014

I would love to see coach Johnson be like mike Tomlin and he the head coach as a figure and let a talented OC and DC call the plays

— Nyeem (@NyeemWartman) January 2, 2014

Coach Johnson should be the next PSU head coach! Let this MAN have it! He will do PENN STATE PROUD!!! pic.twitter.com/uaHdJA3VZj

— Grizz Kennedy (@Kennedy73) January 2, 2014

#SupportCoachJ!! http://t.co/i83lXI1XQ4 — Quinn Barham (@QuinnBarham) January 2, 2014

Larry Johnson Sr. Larry Johnson Sr. Larry Johnson Sr. Larry Johnson Sr. Larry Johnson Sr. Larry Johnson Sr. Larry Johnson Sr. #rally — Jared Odrick (@JaredOdrick98) January 1, 2014

Couldn’t think of a person who deserved to be head coach more than Coach J!!! #SupportCoachJ http://t.co/FNyoAHLCh6

— ANTHONY ADAMS (@spiceadams) January 2, 2014

If u think coach j is the best guy for the job plz help support the movement by making this your avi pic.twitter.com/2TA6EcoEmI

— Devon Still (@Dev_Still71) January 2, 2014

I’ve NEVER in life met a man other then my father that I knew I could always count on…the one coach… http://t.co/Fvg0IiHBBj

— Devon Still (@Dev_Still71) January 2, 2014

It has been reported that Johnson will interview with the head coaching job, but based on current speculation, it’s unlikely that he gets it. However, I think we can all agree that even if he isn’t named head coach, all of us want him to stay in Happy Valley in one role or another.

About the Author

Bill DiFilippo

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