If you were to ask Kurt Hess or Jamaine Cook why the Youngstown State offense has been so successful over the past couple of seasons, I would bet they could give you at least five big reasons.  One of those five reasons is DJ Main.  Coach Eric Wolford knows that big games between two good teams are won in the trenches.  Main and company have owned the trenches so far this season.

DJ Main is a fifth year senior from Strongsville, Ohio.  He was recruited by Jon Heacock to play football here and is one of the few to survive, and prosper, under a new coaching staff.  Main is finishing up his requirements before departing with a degree in Exercise Science, but he has the size and the work ethic to keep doing something he has loved doing since third grade – playing football.

Paneech:  Sometimes when a coach leaves, recruits may follow him.  In this case, you had nowhere to follow Coach Heacock to, so were you ever contacted to transfer to Kent or anywhere else after the coaching change?

Main:  No, I never really thought of coming here as dedication to a coach.  I saw it more as dedication to the program that I signed to be a part of.  When I signed to come to Youngstown State, I knew I would fulfill my four or five years here.  I haven’t had any contact with Coach Heacock since he left.  Youngstown stayed in contact with me since I was a junior in high school, so there is loyalty on my end.

Paneech:  The edge for a player in a program this competitive is that they have an understanding of the playbook and system.  You lost that edge with the coaching change.

Main:  We did have to learn a whole new system but the coaches were really willing to work with us because they knew it was unfamiliar to the players.  They took time during individuals to work on form and technique.  Truthfully, the coaches have been the building blocks of this system.

Paneech:  Talk about Coach Bricilo and how he has been to work with.

Main:  Coach Bricilo is in ‘in your face’ guy, but I think those are the best coaches.  Those coaches will not let you slack or just settle on being average.  They want the best for us, and sometimes that means they are not our best friends.  Off the field, things are totally different.  We are laughing and hanging out, but we know when we are on the field that it is business.

Paneech:  What do you see yourself doing after this whole experience is over?

Main:  Everyone always has NFL aspirations.  I have got it set up so when I finish up my degree in the Spring, regardless of what happens, I will leave here looking for a job.  As an Exercise Science Major, I would love to be a strength coach for a college or high school.  I am going to enjoy the rest of what is left because the potential of this year’s team is off the charts.

Paneech:  When you got here, there was no WATTS, just a bunch of weeds and a gravel track.

Main:  I don’t know if you could even call what was here a track when I got here.  There was weeds growing inside of the track and it wasn’t even a flat surface.  The programs that this institution have changed are unbelievable, like night and day.  It has all been for the better.

Paneech:  What have you done to make yourself a better player since you got here?

Main:  Improvement comes a lot with the strength staff.  When you get here as a freshman, you are on top of the world because you got recruited.  You get a rude awakening when you get to the first practice and see guys that are bigger than you.  They take you under their wing and teach, it is great to learn from veterans.

Paneech:  I have heard wild tales about you lineman and your ability to do some damage on the dining facilities in the Mahoning Valley.  Share some of the horror with me.

Main:  We are a very close group of guys.  We have done some damage at Chipotle.  You get more bang for the buck there and you get a lot of food.  Chris Elkins can eat two double wrapped burritos in less than ten minutes, it is disturbing.  I get a double wrap burrito too, but only one.  I am done doing weight gain.  We did the Quaker Steak And Lube all-you-can-eat wing night last year.  It wasn’t just linemen either, there was a large group of us that went.  Elkins only ate about twenty, but my man Radak [Andrew Radakovich] with a plate of wings in front of him is pretty gross to watch.

Paneech:  Do you like amusement parks?

Main:  I used to when I was younger, but the last time I went, I got on a ride where the floor drops out from under your feet.  My feet were still touching after the floor fell, so they made me get off of the ride.  The rides don’t work out real well for me anymore.

Paneech:  Do you have to deal with the stereotype that linemen aren’t very smart?

Main:  Everyone knows that is a complete lie.  Any program that you go to, if that team is having any type of success you look at their offensive line and I can guarantee that they are mentally strong enough to take care of their business up front.

One Word Answers

Favorite NFL Player:  Joe Thomas

Favorite Breakfast Food:  Pancakes

Favorite Drink After Practice:  Gatorade

Best Football Movie Ever Made:  Remember The Titans

Favorite NFL Team:  Bengals

Other Sports You Watch:  Basketball – I Love March Madness

Worst Habit:  Going To Bed Too Early

TV Show:  Everybody Loves Raymond

Dream Destination:  Anywhere There Is A Beach