Youngstown State Football enjoyed a wealth of success under Jim Tressel in the 1990’s.  Jon Heacock has had the toughest task ever assigned on Wick Avenue, to keep what Tressel started rolling.  Heacock has had his ups and downs as the head guy and I feel he is headed toward greener pastures in the next couple of seasons.

If you sit back and think of what Tressel started at YSU, you can understand the enormous pressure Heacock has had to perform under.  Also, figure in Tressel only a few hours away recruiting the prime local talent to play for The Buckeyes.  Heacock is a good recruiter and people should be suprised with the talent he pulled this offseason.  The annual Spring game is Friday and Heacock is anxious to see some of those recruits in action.  Mychal Savage, sidelined all of last year after being injured in the Ohio State opener will be a force to be reckoned with on defense this year.  He will not be participating in Spring activities as he is still recovering from surgery but he should be ready for the season.

YSU suffered a bunch of season-ending surgeries last year, and all of the returning Penguins hope to stay healthy.  Playing Ohio State in the first week can make that a difficult task.

I am really pulling for Coach Heacock to succeed and prove to skeptics in the valley that YSU football is going to be just fine.  Tressel remains one of Heacock’s biggest fans and supporters.  I really like the local flavor Heacock has added to the coaching staff with Jerry Olsavsky and Michael Zordich.  Having coaches who know what it takes gives the players the right frame of mind to perform better.