Report: Former Penn State Walk-On Billy Fessler Promoted to Become Ohio State’s QB Coach

A former Penn State walk-on quarterback has inherited a prestigious job with one of his alma mater’s conference foes. Billy Fessler, who played for the Nittany Lions from 2014 to 2017, has earned a promotion to become Ohio State’s next quarterbacks coach after serving as offensive analyst with the program this past season, Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reported on Wednesday.

Fessler, 29, takes over position coaching duties for Chip Kelly, who was hired as the new offensive coordinator of the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Brian Hartline, the Buckeyes’ longtime wide receivers coach, will replace Kelly as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2025.

Fessler has ascended up the coaching ladder since his playing days at Penn State. He began as a graduate assistant at Slippery Rock before following his former offensive coordinator, Joe Moorhead, to Mississippi State in 2019 and serving in the same role. Fessler then served as a graduate assistant at Ohio State from 2020-21.

When Moorhead became Akron’s head coach in 2022, he hired Fessler as his quarterbacks coach and promoted him to become one of the youngest offensive coordinators in the FBS the following season. Fessler ultimately left Akron to join Kelly’s quarterbacks at UCLA last offseason, but both left for the Buckeyes prior to the start of the season.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day seemingly has significant trust in Fessler, who has been on the road recruiting some of the nation’s top prospects since winning a national championship on Jan. 20. Fessler joined Kelly on an in-home visit with five-star quarterback Jared Curtis, the nation’s No. 4 overall prospect, on Wednesday.

Fessler will help lead a quarterback room experiencing some turnover ahead of next season. Julian Sayin, a former five-star recruit, is expected to replace Will Howard as the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback in 2025. Sayin completed five of 12 pass attempts for 84 yards and a touchdown this past year.

Fessler will coach against his alma mater at Ohio Stadium on Nov. 1.