Ryan Clanton has quickly made his mark at Penn State, showcasing the kind of dynamic leadership he's bringing to the Nittany Lions. From an enthusiastic social media post declaring his commitment to the program, to a memorable moment at Pegula Ice Arena, Clanton's approach is all about energy and passion.
His coaching philosophy is rooted in what he calls “overall violence.” The aim? To unleash the offensive line with a singular focus on Saturdays: attack the opponent with intensity and precision.
“I just want to cut them loose,” Clanton shared. “When you get those guys playing fast, fearless, and feared, that's when you've got something special.”
Last season, Penn State's offensive line was expected to be a powerhouse, but early struggles hampered their performance until they found their stride late in the year. Clanton believes the talent was there, but they were often overthinking, leading to costly mistakes.
“In this conference, you need to analyze your opponents, but you also have to play fast and catch them off guard,” Clanton emphasized.
His approach differs from the previous regime under Phil Trautwein, meaning players like Anthony Donkoh and Cooper Cousins will need to adapt to new techniques and embrace gap schemes. However, their natural aggression is already in line with Clanton's vision.
“(Donkoh) and Coop have some bad intentions,” Clanton noted. “Their ability to explode off the line is impressive, and we'll see how everyone else fits in as we move forward.”
Donkoh and Cousins were quick to commit to returning for 2026, aligning with Clanton’s criteria for humble leaders who are passionate about Penn State.
“You look for guys who say, ‘I play because I love football and this team. I bleed for that logo,’” Clanton explained. “I can work with that.”
In his short time with the team, Clanton has been impressed by the players' eagerness to learn and adapt to new methods, from techniques to nutrition.
“None of them have the attitude of ‘just manage me.’ They’re open to new ideas and eager to grow, which makes them a joy to coach,” Clanton said.
With Clanton at the helm, Penn State's offensive line is poised for a rejuvenated and aggressive approach, ready to take on the challenges of the upcoming season.