Bill O'Brien gave Penn State fans plenty to cheer about on Tuesday.

O'Brien, who led the Nittany Lions to an 8-4 record in his first season, was named Big Ten Coach of the Year by media and fellow coaches. His eight wins are the most by a first-year coach at Penn State.

“This is a fantastic honor; it’s very humbling,” O’Brien said in a statement. “Any time you are named coach of the year, it has a lot to do with two groups of people — it’s your coaching staff and obviously your players.”

O'Brien's accomplishment seems even greater considering he replaced legendary coach Joe Paterno in January. Then in July, NCAA President Mark Emmert handed down numerous program sanctions in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal, which led to multiple player transfers and future scholarship reductions.

Earlier in the day, O'Brien attempted to squash rumors about potentially leaving the Nittany Lions, saying on 790 AM "The Zone" in Atlanta he is committed to Penn State.

"I plan on being the head football coach at Penn State (in 2013)," O'Brien told the radio program. "That's my plan and that's what I intend to do."

O'Brien's name has come up in recent weeks as a potential candidate for NFL head coaching jobs, given his experience as a coach for the New England Patriots and his success this season at Penn State.

O'Brien has a solid nucleus moving forward in Happy Valley, which includes defensive end Deion Barnes, who was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year on Tuesday. A redshirt freshman, Barnes led Penn State with six sacks.

“It feels good,” Barnes said of the honor. “But I am looking forward to next season. I need to play better than I did this year.”

On Monday, six Nittany Lions earned first-team All-Big Ten honors. Sophomore wide receiver Allen Robinson was named Big Ten Receiver of the Year and senior linebacker Michael Mauti won Big Ten Linebacker of the Year. Senior center Matt Stankiewitch, junior guard John Urschel, senior defensive tackle Jordan Hill, and freshman tight end Kyle Carter were all first-team selections. Senior linebacker Gerald Hodges was a unanimous second-team All-Big Ten.