YSU FOOTBALL

YSU FOOTBALL

Criticism of YSU coach Jon Heacock is unfair

Fanfare:

I read with some disappointment the letter asking for Jon Heacock’s removal (Nov. 23).

Coach Heacock’s accomplishments are many, but the one that really sticks out are the two Gateway Football Conference championships in 2005 and 2007. 2007 also marked the Penguins’ appearance in the national semifinals of the FCS.

Admittedly, following a legend such as Jim Tressel was a daunting task, but Heacock did something Tress never did by winning those two GFC championships.

Declining attendance? Youngstown is a notorious “front-runner” town — you better keep winning or people won’t come. I would say there is a loyal fan base of around 5,000 and the rest will only show up until they lose a couple games.

I could understand the decline if we were putting a poor product on the field, but that is not the case. Records of 8-3 in 2005, 11-3 in 2006 and 7-4 in 2007 do not reflect a “poor product”. The 2008 season was an anomaly due to the horrendous injury situation.

Player defections? We don’t know enough of the situation to cast a judgement on anyone. Two players left for personal reasons and I will venture my guess on the reason — lack of playing time or a demotion. It speaks volumes on their decision that the player who replaced them had a tremendous season and is a reason to be very optimistic about next year. Two players left. Seventy plus players stayed and gutted it out.

Under Heacock, YSU teams have become known for a “get up off the floor” mentality, constantly battling and bouncing back from adversity. Never was this more clear than this past season when the Penguins were decimated by injury. We had kids who were true and redshirt freshmen starting at more than just a couple positions. The team could have fallen apart but Heacock and his staff held these kids together. There was never any quit in them and they ended the season with wins in their last two games, the last of which was against a good WIU team on their senior day on the road. A game in which the Penguins were decided underdogs.

That is a testament to the dedication and hard work of Coach and his assistants. It is also emblematic of the great heart and effort of the YSU players. The heart and work ethic were instilled by Jon Heacock. He also oversees a very successful academic monitoring program and makes sure that his players are active in the community. He turns out fine young men that are ready for their life’s work.

My son played three years for Coach Tressel and two years for Coach Heacock and his decision to attend YSU is one of the best decisions of his young life so far.

As a parent, I can’t stress enough how impressed I am with both men. Teachers, role-models, leaders and solid men.

I appreciate them both and what they do/did for our University, team and community.

Mike DeNiro

Boardman