(CNN) -- The new coach of Penn State's embattled football program acknowledged criticism from alumni over his hiring, vowing to work to earn their trust and saluting the team's iconic former head coach Joe Paterno. Bill O'Brien's selection as the Nittany Lions' next coach has stirred the ire of some former Penn State football players, angry that he didn't attend the university and had never before been a head coach. He becomes the 15th head football coach in the program's 125-year history after replacing interim coach Tom Bradley, a former player and longtime coach at Penn State. Bradley himself stepped in after school trustees fired Paterno in November after he didn't go far enough in reporting an alleged child sex abuse scandal involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.
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NEW: Bill O'Brien acknowledges criticism of his hiring and vows to earn alumni's trust
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NEW: He praises iconic, and recently fired, Penn State coach Joe Paterno
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Paterno himself says that he respects O'Brien's coaching record
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Patriots coach Bill Belichick lauds O'Brien, saying he and Penn State are a "great match"
We have that leader in Coach @placeholder, and I look forward to working with him in his new role."