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Ricky Rahne has plucked his first staff member away from Penn State.

Third-year Nittany Lions graduate assistant Mark Dupuis announced on Wednesday night that he has accepted an assistant coaching position with the Monarchs.

“Can’t describe how thankful I am to @coachjfranklin and everyone @PennStateFball for an amazing three years; it has been an honor to be a part of such a special TEAM!” Dupuis wrote on Twitter.

“I’m proud to announce that I’ve accepted a coaching position with @RickyRahne and @ODUFootball!”

A University of Connecticut graduate, Dupuis joined head coach James Franklin’s Nittany Lions staff in 2017 after spending time as the receivers coach at Fordham. He also worked with the pass catchers in State College before deciding to follow Rahne to Norfolk, Va.

It’s possible if not likely that Rahne will hire a few lower-level or off-field members of the Penn State staff, and also maybe some of the school’s former graduate assistants, as he starts his first head coaching job.

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