Shortly after the NCAA announced the penalties it will levy against Penn State University, Penn State football coach Bill O’Brien issued a statement Monday that said he would remain with the program. It appears Plymouth’s Jake Kiley will be there with him.

Kiley, who committed to the Penn State football program last July, confirmed Monday afternoon that he plans to honor his commitment to the school, even though the NCAA will allow any incoming or current Penn State player to transfer without sitting out a season, as is normally the case with transfers per NCAA rules.

“Yes,” Kiley said in a text message when asked if he would still be playing football at Penn State. “Sorry, I can’t answer any other questions right now.”

Kiley, who played for the New Hampton School, took an official visit to Penn State in January, one week after O’Brien left the New England Patriots staff to replace Joe Paterno as Penn State’s head coach. Paterno was fired in the wake of a child sex-abuse scandal that involved former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.

The NCAA hit Penn State with penalties that included a loss of scholarships and a ban on postseason play. After the penalties were announced, Kiley posted the following on his Twitter account: “StillPennStateProud WE will get through this together as a family because We Are !!!” Kiley made the following comment after he signed his national letter of intent to play for Penn State in February: “Things are going to be different (at Penn State), it’s just a matter of how different.”

Kiley played high school football for his father Ed, who is New Hampton’s head coach. Ed Kiley declined to comment on the Penn State situation Monday. “At this time we have no comment,” he said.

The University of New Hampshire is the only other school that offered Kiley a scholarship. UNH defensive coordinator John Lyons extended the scholarship offer after Kiley attended a camp at the University of Connecticut. Kiley played against Lyons when Lyons was the head coach at Kimball Union Academy.

Kiley played quarterback, defensive back and receiver at New Hampton, but has said he will likely play defensive back in college. Recruits are rated on a five-star scale (five being the best) and ESPN rated Kiley as a two-star defensive back. Connecticut, Duke and Virginia are among the other schools that showed interest in Kiley, who was named New Hampshire’s Gatorade Player of the Year following his senior season.

Kiley made 17 interceptions and 127 tackles in 35 games with New Hampton. He rushed for 29 touchdowns and passed for 29 more during his high school career. He also caught five TD passes. He was named the Evergreen League MVP twice, and was selected as the NEPSAC Player of the Year as a senior.

rbrown@unionleader.com