Jim O ' Hora James Joseph O ’ Hora ( February 16 , 1915 – August 5 , 2005 ) was an American college football coach for over 30 years . Biography . Early years . O ’ Hora was born in Dunmore , Pennsylvania . His father , Michael , was an immigrant from Ballina , County Mayo , Ireland who entered the United States through Ellis Island . His mother , Mary Butler O ’ Hora , was also an immigrant from Ireland . O ’ Hora played football for Dunmore High School . He was a member of its champion team in 1930 and was named to the Lackawanna County , Pennsylvania All Academic Team in 1932 . He graduated in 1932 . He attended The Pennsylvania State College which later grew to Penn State . While playing center for the Penn State Nittany Lions under Coach Bob Higgins , O ’ Hora lettered in 1933 , 1934 and 1935 . He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Physical Education from PSU in 1936 . He was certified in Pennsylvania to teach Biological Science , Social Studies , and Physical education . Career . His coaching career began in 1936 , as a graduate assistant at Penn State University while working on his Masters Degree . After earning a Masters Degree in 1937 , O ' Hora was a high school gym teacher and head football coach at Roaring Spring High School at Roaring Spring , Pennsylvania . In 1939 , he became head football coach , head basketball coach and head baseball coach at Mahanoy Township High School in Mahanoy City , Pennsylvania . On November 28 , 1942 , he married Elizabeth Emily Miller a social studies teacher from Mahanoy City , at Queen of All Saints RCC , Brooklyn , New York . In 1942 , O ’ Hora enlisted in the Gene Tumey Program which was part of the US Navy Physical Fitness Program . His rank was Chief Petty Officer . He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1942 . O ' Hora trained at the Naval War College in Newport , Rhode Island . He became the commanding officer of U . S . S . LSM 8 in the Pacific fleet in 1944 . He served in the Luzon Philippines Campaign . After the war he returned to Mahanoy Township for one year before joining the Penn State coaching staff in 1946 . O ' Hora was a full - time assistant for three seasons under Bob Higgins . He then served one year with Joe Bedenk ( 1949 ) , 16 seasons with Rip Engle ( 1950 – 65 ) and 11 with Joe Paterno from 1966 to 1976 . O ' Hora initially served as line coach . He became the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach ( 1974 – 76 ) . O ' Hora was a key factor in Penn State earning 29 winning seasons during his 31 years on the staff . O ' Hora directed the Nittany Lions defenses on the unbeaten 1947 , 1968 , 1969 and 1973 squads . The 1968 Penn State team allowed less than 10 points in six games . The 1969 Lion squad did not allow the opposition to score more than nine points in seven games . The last 1969 game was a 10 – 3 win over Missouri in the Orange Bowl . The 1973 defense did not permit more than nine points in any of Penn State ' s initial six games . They ended PSU ’ s first 12 – 0 season with a 16 – 9 win over Louisiana State University in the Orange Bowl . * During his extraordinary tenure , he coached with such notables as : Earl Bruce , Frank Patrick , Al Michaels , Sever " Tor " Toretti , J . T . White , Dan Radakovich , Joe McMullen , and George Welsh . Later years . O ’ Hora retired from Penn State in 1977 as an Associate Professor of Health , Physical Education and Recreation . The football program established the Jim O ' Hora Award . It is annually presented to a defensive player for " exemplary conduct , loyalty , interest , attitude and improvement " during spring practice . He was inducted into the Pennsylvania Football Hall of Fame in 1992 . An engaging storyteller , he was happy to share colorful stories of PSU football history . He maintained an extensive collection of photos that covered his many years as a football player and coach . He valued his friendships with the other coaches and especially JoePa . O ’ Hora was a member of the B . P . O . E # 1600 ; State College ; the American Legion # 245 ; State College , Penn State Quarterback Club ; and the Penn State Football Lettermen ' s Club . O ’ Hora and his wife had four children : James , Robert , Margaret and Donald . O ’ Hora died on August 5 , 2005 , in State College , Pennsylvania . He and his wife , Betts , who died in 2001 , are buried at Centre County Memorial Park in College Township , Pennsylvania . He was preceded in death by his sister Margaret O ’ Hora Coyne of New Jersey and his brother , Vincent who died in infancy .