From Mirror, wire reports
Another high school senior that once seemed destined to sign with Penn State instead will suit up for one of the Nittany Lions' Big Ten rivals.
De'metrious Cox, a four-star safety from Jeannette, announced on Monday night that he was committing to Michigan State. Cox also considered Wisconsin and Ohio State in addition to Penn State.
The Lions have 19 verbal commitments for their 2012 recruiting class - both Rivals.com and 247Sports.com are among several media outlets to report that Philadelphia quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg has switched his pledge to Florida, although Mornhinweg has yet to come forward and confirm it.
National signing day is Wednesday.
New coaches hired
UNIVERSITY PARK - New Penn State coach Bill O'Brien has added two more staffers in special assistant Jim Bernhardt and director of strength and conditioning Craig Fitzgerald.
O'Brien, announced Jan. 7 as Penn State's coach, is currently working with the New England Patriots as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach as they get ready for Sunday's Super Bowl against the New York Giants in Indianapolis.
Bernhardt, also director of player development, coached O'Brien when he played at Brown. Bernhardt, who was defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Bears, has also worked at Central Florida.
Fitzgerald has spent the past three years in charge of South Carolina's strength and conditioning. He was on staff at Maryland in 2003-4 with O'Brien. He has also worked at Catholic University, Arizona State and Harvard.
Memorial to be aired
UNIVERSITY PARK - The public memorial service for Joe Paterno, " A Memorial for Joe," will re-air tonight on the Big Ten Network.
BTN will re-air the service in its entirety starting at 7 p.m. The event was held last Thursday in the Bryce Jordan Center to honor the life and impact of Paterno, who passed away on Jan. 22.
"A Memorial For Joe" featured music, videos of Paterno through his 62 years on the Penn State coaching staff and 13 speakers, six of whom represented each of his six decades in State College. Charlie Pittman (1960s), Jimmy Cefalo (1970s), Todd Blackledge (1980s), Chris Marrone (1990s), Michael Robinson (2000s) and Michael Mauti (2010s) each spoke about Paterno's impact, as well as Kenny Jackson, who teamed with Blackledge to help the Nittany Lions win the 1982 national championship.
