YSU FOOTBALL Penguins get ready for Heacock's reign

The new YSU head coach will put his players through their first drills Monday.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Monday, a new era in Youngstown State University football begins with the opening of spring practice.
Jon Heacock officially takes the reins of the YSU football program Monday at 3:15 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium.
And nobody is more excited about it than Heacock.
The Beloit native and West Branch High graduate became the fifth head coach in YSU history in January after Jim Tressel resigned to take the head football coaching position at The Ohio State University.
Heacock had been an assistant coach and defensive coordinator under Tressel for seven seasons.
Heacock welcomes back a team that includes 42 lettermen -- 25 on offense and 16 on defense along with one specialist. He also has 19 starters from a year ago returning, 12 on offense and seven on defense.
Still, he has lost some outstanding players from last year's 13 seniors, including All-American linebacker Tim Johnson. He also will go into his first spring practice without his starting quarterback.
Ryan to miss spring: Jeff Ryan, who will be entering his senior season and fourth as the Penguins starter, will miss the entire spring session. Ryan, who will probably own every YSU passing record before he leaves the university, has been banged up the past two seasons.
He had those injuries taken care of these past two months, first getting a cast put on an injured wrist and then last week having surgery on a shoulder that has bothered him for two years.
"It is not a major issue that Jeff Ryan will not take part in spring drills," Heacock said.
"Spring is actually the time for the young kids to make themselves known. Everybody knows what Jeff can do.
"Although you like for your starting quarterback to get his reps in the spring, I'm sure Jeff will make up for it by spending more time watching films and helping the younger kids on the field," Heacock said.
Actually, Heacock now will get a better look as Ryan's two backups for the 2001 season, junior Colby Street and freshman red-shirt Ben Bair of Poland.
Ryan will not be the only veteran missing the spring as junior Demetrius Rich, a defensive back who played a lot last season, will not be available because of an ankle injury.
Left the team: Heacock also said that three members of last year's squad, who were expected to be back are no longer with the program. Junior defensive back Chris Conwell, freshman red-shirt punter Craig Cicero and senior defensive lineman Matt Shipton have left the team.
Still, there is plenty coming back.
Last year's young offensive line returns intact with a whole year's experience under their belts.
And joining Ryan in the backfield for another year is senior fullback Jerry Johnson and junior tailbacks P.J. Mays and Josiah Doby.
Heacock is also moving senior Andre Coleman of Warren from wide receiver to running back.
That move is being made because of the Penguins' abundance of wideouts led by seniors Eugene Mintze and Sean Guerriero and sophomore Brandon Pedraza along with tight ends John Schumacher and Dennis Dlugosz, both juniors.
Defensively the big hole is left by Johnson.
"The toughest part of replacing Tim is in his leadership capacity," Heacock said. "There will guys out there to make the tackle, probably not as many as he made, but where we'll miss him the most is as a leader."
"I've told our seniors what is expected of them," he said. "They are the voice of the locker room."
Junior linebacker Jon Tekac of New Wilmington will step into Johnson's role this season.
The Penguins also have to replace defensive backs Eddie Blizzard and Fon Nanji along with defensive tackle Montrial Thomas.
"Those were all pretty good leaders for us," Heacock said.
Spring goals: Heacock said that the two most important goals this spring are direction and discipline.
"What direction are we going in, what kind of offense and defense will be running," he said. "Also in the back of our minds is the fact that we've never won the Gateway Conference championship.
"Discipline is another big key because everyone outside the State of Youngstown is looking for us to slip a little and therefore we have to be a disciplined football team," he said.
"There is going to be changes with change, but we can control it with discipline."
Heacock said that spring is the time for the team to develop the chemistry of the coming season.
"We've got some new coaches and everyone needs this time to become get better acquainted," he said.
Heacock brought back former YSU assistant coach John Klacik to be his offensive coordinator this year.
He also has added Brian White, who served as a graduate assistant coach here in 1997, to coach the quarterbacks and George Small to coach the linebackers.
The Penguins' 2001 season opener will be Aug. 30 at Stambaugh Stadium against Lock Haven University. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.