Jerry Olsavsky has been at Youngstown State University since 2003.  Over that span, he has worked with many young men teaching them his craft, being a good linebacker.  Olsavsky was a standout at Youngstown Chaney and later had success at Pitt.  Olsavsky spent nine years in the NFL as a Pittsburgh Steeler after being selected in the 10th round by the Rooney family.  He retired in 1998 while with the Baltimore Ravens.  To talk with Olsavsky is like talking to your neighbor about anything.  He is still a very humble and quiet guy yet has the respect of those he coaches.  I recently caught up with Olsavsky and enjoyed hearing his take on everything from linebacker terminology to aspirations of being a head coach someday.

Paneech:  Growing up on Youngstown’s West Side, you did well at Chaney.  Why can’t that school field a competitive team anymore?

Olsavsky:  I think it is because alot of people have left the city.  The population just isn’t what it was and when you have fewer families, you have fewer good athletes.  I was on the tail end coming up, when you have names like Cavanaugh and Calcagni, you had four kids in a family who could play.  I don’t know how important athletics in the city are anymore.

Paneech:  It seems real important at Mooney and Ursuline.  Do you think these Catholic Schools should have their own division come playoff time?

Olsavsky:  I think that those schools have a great tradition.  One of the reasons why we were successful at Chaney was because we had Mooney first on our schedule and that drove me.  I believe that if they are good that they are doing something right over there.  I commend everything that they accomplish and as far as some of the rumors about what goes on in the Catholic Schools go, I don’t have anything to do with it.  I know in bigger cities like Philadelphia, they have a Catholic League, but you have got alot more people.  Ursuline is Division Five, so that is really a smaller school.

Paneech:  Talk to me about the transition from Chaney to Pitt.

Olsavsky:  Chaney to Pitt was about a two day transition.  My second day at Pitt, I got blocked by a guy who would later go on to play in the NFL for 12 years.  So at that point you either had to improve and get better or go home. 

Paneech:  How different was it playing for the Steelers than the Pitt Panthers ?

Olsavsky:  That was more of a quicker thing.  It was not as big of an adjustment of going from high school to college.  The speed factor was the difference in going from college to the NFL where you are going against nine guys who were all really good college players.  That’s a big difference, you start to think, man, all of these guys are fast.  In college we would play Notre Dame, and they would have six really good players, on a lesser team, you would have two or one, then when you get to the NFL, its like, wow, there are nine guys that are really good. 

Paneech:  Do you stay in contact with any of the guys you played with at any of the three levels?

Olsavsky:  I see some of the guys from Chaney once in the while.  I’m coaching and I have three kids, so it is tough.  I have a couple of friends from Pitt that I try to keep in touch with also.  It is a little easier with the Steelers because I will go to camp and see a couple of guys there.  I was there for nine years, and that is longer than both of the other places combined.  I try to keep in touch with Coach Berdis and Mr. Matte once in the while, as they were both great role models and teachers for me.

Paneech:  How have you enjoyed coaching at Youngstown State and who was the best linebacker here that you got to work with?

Olsavsky:  I enjoy coaching here.  My players listen to everything that I say, so I have their respect and we try to have fun.  I think football is fun regardless, whether it be doubles, running sprints, in the weight room, or in the classroom, it is just fun to compete.  I think my guys do that for me.  Sometimes they slip up, sometimes I slip up and make mistakes, but it is a great learning process that has helped to become a better father and husband and I love it.  I love being here in Youngstown because it is a mecca of football.  People come to the games and may not know what defense is called, but they do know if it is good or bad.  It is a high standard, but when you have 20,000 people holding you to it, you feel the presure and also the desire to be a great team.  My best linebacker was probably James Terry.  Na’eem Outler can be a great one.  Another one, a local kid, was Marty Hutchinson from Newton Falls.  That’s two kids from Virginia and one just up the street from Newton Falls.  You are a local guy and you get around these people from other areas and you learn that you can still compete, that’s why Youngstown is such a special area.

Paneech:  Try to explain why linebacker terminology has changed from simplistic as Middle LB and Outside LB to the more confusing Mike, Will and Sam.

Olsavsky:  It all comes down to players.  What can the players do?  If you have three guys, a Mike, Will and Sam, and run a 4-3 and they play well off of the line, then you call them Mike, Will, and Sam or Middle, Weak, and Strong.  When you have a fourth linebacker like we did in Pittsburgh, what do you call that other guy?  Are you going to call him Willis?  It’s just football always evolving but it still all comes down to who blocks and who tackles the best.

Paneech:  Explain what this year has been like with Coach Heacock running the defense.

Olsavsky:  The best thing about coach [Heacock] is that he keeps it simple for the kids.  The kids, in turn, can focus on execution because they don’t have so many jobs to do.  Last year, as guys got hurt, you had to keep put younger guys in.  It really got to be difficult for the kids to handle all of that.  So this year, we sat down and shot at keeping it simple.  We would sit down on Tuesday and it was like, okay, what don’t you like, what do you like.  That is what it is about, keeping it simple and letting your players play.

Paneech:  Do you ever see YSU on a larger, grander scale someday, perhaps Division-I?

Olsavsky:  I really don’t get caught up in those levels.  I felt like when we went on the field with Pitt, that we could compete against them.  We have 22 less scholarships, and that is their [Pitt’s] whole first team.  As far as facilities, administration, and fan base, we are right up there.  I haven’t seen a game at Kent or a MAC School, but we feel we are comparable to them.  They play in bowl games and are on TV week in and week out.  Here, you will always have fans who appreciate what they have here, we will always have a good fan base.

Paneech:  Do you have plans to someday branch out and try your hand at being a head coach?

Olsavsky:  Right now I want to be a head coach at the family level.  That’s the most important thing to me right now – my wife and kids.  To be a head coach and have 63 kids in addition to what you have at home is something that I can’t envision right now.  Down the road, I would love to.  In any good organization, it always comes down to the leadership.  When I was with the Steelers, there was great leadership and they still have it, and that is where you get to be a great organization.

Paneech:  Do you regret not accomplishing anything as a player or coach?

Olsavsky:  I regret not winning a Super Bowl, and maybe I could have been a better player in the NFL.  I think I was satisfied with my accomplishments in high school.  In college, I did what alot of people didn’t think I could do.  In the NFL, it’s a little different, it’s a business, and I thought I could have been a better NFL player.

One Word Answers

Favorite Flavor Of Handel’s Ice Cream:  Chocoholic Chunk. 

Biggest Phobia:  Snakes.

Worst Habit:  Too bossy sometimes.

Favorite Flavor of Chicken Wings:  Belleria Ranch.

Nicest Thing About Youngstown:  The people.

Favorite TV Show:  NFL Football.

The One Toy You Cherished As A Child:  My train.

Favorite Color:  Blue.

Favorite Holiday:  Christmas.

Who Is Weirder ~ Punters or Kickers?  (long pause)  Kickers.

Favorite Current NFL Player:  Adrian Peterson.

Sport To Watch When Football Isn’t On:  Basketball.

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