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Joyner conducting "methodical and precise" coaching search

Though many schools have made hires since Penn State formed its search committee Nov. 28, acting athletic director Dave Joyner said Friday that the University's search for its next head football coach is "about exactly where I wanted to be at this point in time."

Though many schools have made hires since Penn State formed its search committee Nov. 28, acting athletic director Dave Joyner said Thursday that the University's search for its next head football coach is "about exactly where I wanted to be at this point in time."

"We may be conducting our search a little different than other people," Joyner said in an interview with GoPSUSports.com, the athletic department's web site. "I'm not saying they're not, but we're being very methodical and precise about what we're doing and who we're talking to."

Joyner has previously said that integrity, an emphasis on academics, and success on the football field are three qualities the six-person committee seeks in Penn State's next coach. He said Thursday there are a lot of people that fit that description and Penn State does not "have a lack of people to look at."

Joyner was also asked about University President Rodney Erickson's recent comments in USA TODAY. In a story published Dec. 7, Erickson said he wanted Penn State to be viewed more for its academics and less as a football school.

"Penn State's really not about un-emphasizing or re-emphasizing or de-emphasizing something," Joyner said. "I want to continue our focus on the integration, and so does the president, on the integration of the proper balance between athletics and academics as demonstrated by our successes over the years.

"My goal is not to change anything specifically about how we approach academics and athletics, but to continue to emphasize what we've already done in the past."

--Jake Kaplan