Happy Homecoming
Mifflin County product hired as Penn State’s director of external operations
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UNIVERSITY PARK -- In football speak, Tristin Iannone wasn't looking to make an audible when it came to his professional career.
In fact, the Lewistown native had become quite comfortable working as the director of football operations at Division I Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., under former Penn State offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne.
"I would have stayed in the position, I would have continued helping with the oversight of the program," said the 27-year-old Iannone, a 2016 graduate of Mifflin County High School who worked for the Monarchs for five years. "In that role, I oversaw our budget, team travel, housing, summer camps and served as the liaison to all departments on campus, including the president's office and the athletic director's office."
In fact, Iannone and his wife, Rachel (Kelley) - who were high school sweethearts and married in 2023 - purchased a home in Virginia and had just gotten a new puppy, Dunkin, in April. She worked as a licensed veterinary technician.
But when Nittany Lion head coach James Franklin came calling about a job opening in Happy Valley, Iannone knew the offer was too good to pass up.
"It was very exciting when coach Franklin called," Iannone recalled. "There is an incredible culture at Penn State and, with it being home, the opportunity was one I couldn't pass up.
"From the top down, Penn State has incredible people all around the program, so I am very thankful for the opportunity to join them," he added.
Iannone said the interview process was virtual with nearly a dozen phone calls, including three or four from Franklin, jammed into a few days. In the end, Iannone found himself headed to Penn State to serve as the new director of external operations starting June 3.
The decision came about a week after his predecessor Destiny Rodriguez, a long-time staff member, left for a player personnel office role with the National Football League's New York Jets.
"In college football, the transitions happen quick, especially this late in the cycle," Iannone said referring to the program's offseason schedule. "Part of my role will be taking over our individual summer camps, so it was important for me to get here and see how they run. I was offered the job on a Thursday and my first day was the following Tuesday, which is a pretty standard transition time for college football."
A 2019 Penn State graduate, Iannone was also a familiar face at the Lasch Football Building. He served as an operations assistant under MIchael Hazel, former director of operations at Penn State and now an associate athletic director and chief of staff for Virginia Tech football. Among his duties was to update the travel manifest, help plan team meals and events, and deliver tours of the Penn State football facilities.
Iannone left Penn State with Rahne, who became the head coach at Old Dominion. Iannone started as an operations assistant before spending time on the recruiting side of things.
"I loved working in the different recruiting and operations roles at ODU," he said. "The experience and knowledge I gained from working in various roles is what helped prepare me for this current role. Having the experience in both of those areas were critical for my development in the field."
Iannone then transitioned into the role he held for the past two years in Norfolk, which has the same title as the one he brings to University Park.
"I can't thank Ricky Rahne and ODU football enough for the lessons and memories during my time at ODU," Iannone said.
He also thanked Franklin and Associate Athletic Director and Chief of Staff for Penn State football Kevin Threlkel for giving him the opportunity to return to the Nittany Lions.
Now, Iannone's role consists of assisting the chief of staff and director of football administration with various regular season, post season and bowl travel responsibilities and managing and executing special projects.
He will also act as the football program's liaison to other departments on campus, such as Strategic Communications (media requests and press release, quotes); Creative Services (football social media planning and approval); Media and Video Productions (Football video approval and ideas); Penn State Sports Properties (football sponsorship fulfillment); Alumni Association; and Marketing (football marketing plan, gameday environment, etc.), according to Penn State athletics.
Iannone just finished running Penn State's summer camps with 150 to 350 prospects. He returned to Virginia to help his wife pack up their Virginia home and relocate to State College; they moved to Pennsylvania this past weekend.
"They are single-day camps, and we had three of those single-day camps after I started here," he said. "There was one this summer before I arrived."
Iannone's blend of familiarity with the program and fresh insights from his Old Dominion experience positions him well to impact the Nittany Lions' operations positively.
Iannone lives in State College to avoid the time-consuming commutes over the Seven Mountains.
"We are renting in State College for now, so we can get settled and focus on the season," Iannone explained. "The move has been smooth, my wife was a rock star. She spent three weeks in Virginia packing and taking care of our house while I was in State College getting started in the new role. We just got everything up to State College and are excited to make it home."
"Living in State College was important to us so we could be close to the facility," Iannone added. "Throughout my career, it has been a priority that we live near the facility because of how much I work. Every minute I have to commute is a minute taken away from time I could be spending with my wife, so to me it has always been worth living as close as possible."
Now that he's back at Penn State - with high expectations for the Nittany Lions, he admits his phone has been already blowing up with ticket requests for games.
Penn State opens the 2025 football slate by hosting Nevada on Aug. 30.