PSU Fathers & Sons (& more)
The First Family of Penn State Football—
The Higgins-Suhey family which dates to 1914 on the roster is regarded as the “First Family of Penn State Football”. Bob Higgins who was an All-American End for the Nittany Lions (1914-16, 1919) and later the Head Coach (1930-48) sits atop a family tree that has seen four different generations suit-up for State over the course of nearly a century—Father to Son-in-law to Grandsons to Great Grandsons.
Steve Suhey RG (1942, 1946-47) played for Bob Higgins’ and married his daughter Virginia (“Ginger”) and that produced Larry Suhey FB (1973-76), Paul Suhey LB (1975-78), and Matt Suhey FB (1976-79). This is the group that honored with a Beaver Stadium Pictorial cover for the 1979 game with Army. There is also a slightly lesser recalled branch of the tree that saw a second son-in-law marry into the family, Jim Dooley, Jr. C/LB (1950-52) played for Rip Engle and married Higgins’ daughter Nancy, and that produced a fourth Higgins grandson on the PSU roster, Jim Dooley III DE (1978-80).
The Higgins-Suhey tree extended another generation into the 21st Century with two great grandsons on the Penn State roster. Paul’s son, Kevin Suhey QB/Special Teams (2005-07) & Matt’s son, Joe Suhey FB (2007-11). All 4 of the grandsons and both great grandsons played for Joe Paterno.
The Coach Father-Player Son Connections—
Joe Paterno (Head Coach 1966-2011/Asst. Coach 1950-65)—Jay Paterno QB (1986-90/Asst. Coach-QB Coach 1995-2011)
Larry Johnson, Sr. (Defensive Line Coach 1996-2013)—Larry Johnson, Jr. TB (1998-2002) & Tony Johnson WR (2000-03)
Nick Gasparato (Offensive Line Coach 1980-81, 1984-86)—Mike Gasparato TB (2000-04)—see Nittany Notes below
Frank Rocco, Sr. (Asst. Coach/Director of FB Operations 1982-2000)—Frank Rocco QB (1978-81/Grad Asst. 1982), Dan Rocco CB/S/Hero (1979-81/Transferred to Wake Forest/PSU Analyst 2022), & David Rocco TE (1994/career ended by injury)—Dan Rocco is also father of David Rocco (PSU Offensive Analyst 2024)
Bob Shoop (Defensive Coordinator 2014-15)—Tyler Shoop WR (2015-18)
Ja’Juan Seider (Running Backs Coach/Co-Offensive Coordinator 2018-24)—Jaden Seider S (2019-22)
Justin Lustig (Special Teams Coordinator 2024-present)—Hank Lustig WR (walk-on 2026-present)
Several PSU Coach-Son combinations are also Player-Player combos—see next
Fathers & Sons who played at Penn State (1930’s to present)—
Fathers of the 30’s/40’s—
Hugh Rodham E (1934)—Hugh Rodham DB/QB (1970)—Father & brother of Hilary Rodham Clinton—see Nittany Notes below
Elwood Petchel LHB (1944-48)—Woody Petchel TB (1972-75)—Elwood coached Woody at Pen Argyl HS (Woody was one of the first True Freshman ever to play for Paterno under the new 1972 eligibility rules)
Joe Drazenovich G (1947-49)—Andy Drazenovich DB/C/LS (1975-78)—Andy was also nephew of Chuck Drazenovich QB (1945, 1947-49)
Note: Bill “Rip” Scherer HB (1945-48) is the grandfather of Ryan Scherer WR (2009-11)
Fathers of the 50’s—
Roosevelt “Rosey” Grier T (1951-54)—Roosevelt Kennedy Grier LB (1991)
Jim Garrity RE/K (1952-54)—Gregg Garrity SE (1979-82)—Jim is also grandfather of Gregg Garrity WR/Punt Returner (2013-16)
Jim Hochberg QB (1953-55)—Jeff Hochberg LB (1980-83)
John Bruno HB (1954-56)—John Bruno P (1982-86)—both wore #11 at Penn State
Ron Markiewicz HB/E (1955-57)—Joe Markiewicz WR/SE/FL (1986-89)
Dave Truitt E (1958-1960)—Gregg Truitt LS/Hero (1984-88)
Fathers of the 60’s—
Dick Anderson E (1960-63/longtime Asst. Coach under Paterno)—Jeff Anderson LB/TE (1987-91)
Jerry Sandusky DE (1963-65/longtime Asst. Coach/DC under Paterno)— EJ Sandusky T/C (1988-92) & Jon Sandusky S/Hero (1996-99)—both sons were adopted
Ed Lenda OT/DT (1964-66)—Tyler Lenda TE/G (1998-2002)
Rich Buzin OG/OT (1965-67)—Mike Buzin NT/DT/TE (1994-98)
John Kulka OT/C (1966-68)—Todd Kulka LB (1992-1995)
Bob Campbell HB (1966-68)—Ryan Pinckney LB (1999-2002)—Ryan is Campbell’s stepson
Charlie Pittman HB (1967-69)—Tony Pittman S/CB (1990-94)—The Pittmans wrote the book “Playing for PATERNO”—The two combined to play on 3 of Joe’s undefeated teams (1968, 1969, & 1994)
Pete Johnson LB/TE (1967-69)—Tim Johnson LB (2000-2003)
Fran Ganter FB (1968-70/longtime Asst. Coach/OC under Paterno)—Chris Ganter QB (2001-04) & Jason Ganter S/Hero (2003-07)
Vic Surma OT (1968-70)—Vic Surma WR (2002-05)
Dave Joyner OT (1969-71/later Athletic Director)—Andrew Joyner WR (1992-94) & Matt Joyner S/Hero (1994-98)
Frank Ahrenhold DT (1969-71)—Tyler Ahrenhold WR/S (2007-2010)
Fathers of the 70’s—
Bob Rickenbach OT/TE (1970-72)—Eric Rickenbach OG/C/OT (1998-2002)