Updated

Buffalo Bills receivers coach Stan Hixon is returning to college to become the lead assistant under new Penn State coach Bill O'Brien.

Hixon is among six assistants formally announced to O'Brien's coaching staff. Besides being Penn State's assistant head coach, Hixon will also mentor the wide receivers.

Hixon coached wideouts for the Bills. He's had stops with the Washington Redskins and LSU, and he was on the same staff at Georgia Tech with O'Brien from 1995-99.

O'Brien also confirmed he's retaining Ron Vanderlinden as linebackers coach. He and defensive line coach Larry Johnson are holdovers from former coach Joe Paterno's staff.

Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley and several other assistants from Paterno's staff are not expected to be retained.