Add Niners coordinator to PSU list

If the names that continue to emerge are accurate, Penn State is looking for an offensive-minded coach who could install a more dynamic offense.

On Sunday, an ESPN report said New England offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien was on the verge of becoming the next coach with only contract details to be worked out.

Yesterday, news emerged that San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman was a finalist for the job and expected a decision within a week, according to the Big Ten Network.

Penn State also has talked to Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements.

Roman is in his first year as an NFL offensive coordinator after spending two seasons on the offensive staff at Stanford with current Niners coach Jim Harbaugh.

Roman, 39, interviewed in November with the Penn State search committee, his agent, Mike Harrison, told the San Jose Mercury News.

"He's been told he's on the short list," said Harrison, adding that "we should know in a week or so, that's our best guess."

Last year, Roman was among the finalists for head-coaching jobs at Pittsburgh and Vanderbilt, and Harrison said Roman was offered the head-coaching job at Tulane earlier this season.

Roman is in his 15th NFL season and has been on the coaching staffs for the Carolina Panthers (1995-2001), Houston Texans (2002-03) and Baltimore Ravens (2006-07) before going to Stanford.

If Penn State has settled on O'Brien, it might have some competition for his services. ESPN reported yesterday that O'Brien will interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are searching for a head coach.

O'Brien's agent, Joe Linta, told the Boston Herald there has been no contact with Penn State.

"Any imminent contract signing or agreement (with Penn State) is just off-base," Linta told the Herald. "The most important thing for him is to win the Super Bowl. But if someone is going to be interested in him in the NFL, it's going to happen this week.

"He could be going somewhere else, he could be returning to the Patriots. But we'll wait and find out if someone is interested in him and seeks permission to talk with him."

Other NFL teams are allowed to talk to assistant coaches during the bye week.

Acting Penn State athletic director David Joyner has denied there is a front-runner for the job.