Zordich excited for opportunity to coach at YSU

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Michael Zordich

By Greg Gulas

BOARDMAN — For the past two months, Michael Zordich has made the most of his transition from private business and high school assistant coach, to that of safeties coach for the upcoming Youngstown State football season.

It is an assignment that he hopes will be as fulfilling as his 12-year professional career but more importantly, an appointment that he hopes will last for years.

Speaking to the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly luncheon meeting at the Blue Wolf Banquet Center, Zordich noted how appreciative he was to YSU coach Jon Heacock for the opportunity, noting it was something that he just could not pass up.

“I had wanted to do this for some time, but this was definitely the right opportunity that came along at the right time for me. I was in touch with some of my NFL contacts and went to both the Combines and Senior Bowl with the hopes of getting my foot in the door.

“Football is in my blood and when I retired I had four opportunities to coach, passing on all four because I wanted to be with my family. When this opportunity came up, however, I approached coach Heacock and here I am,” Zordich said.

An All-American and four-year letterwinner at safety for Penn State and legendary coach Joe Paterno, Zordich is anxiously awaiting Friday’s Red-White spring game at Stambaugh Stadium in order to gauge the improvement of his safeties this spring.

“We’ll have a better indication of everyone’s progress after the spring game, but all we tried to do thus far is take off the fat, line up and just let them play. Defensively we’re a little green so if we are to be successful this fall, then we will need to play a full four quarters.

“I felt we did all right at times but also feel there is room for improvement as well,” Zordich added.

The move to defensive coordinator by Heacock this season is a move that Zordich feels will benefit the team on both sides of the ball.

“As a head coach your duties sometime take you away from the X’s and O’s of the game. As defensive coordinator, [Heacock] will now be much more involved with our every day preparation.

“Because of that one move you will see a much different team line up this fall,” he added.

Zordich is also looking forward to the preparation after spring drills are concluded.

“I cannot wait to begin preparing for the upcoming season. Players think during the week as the game plan is prepared and then on game day, they go out and react.

“I am really looking forward to being a part of something that I feel can be very special this season,” Zordich stated.

Also honored at the weekly meeting was Garrett Trebilcock of the Canfield High swim team.

Trebilcock, who was presented to the gathering by coach Andrea Linnelli, is the first Cardinal swimmer to ever win a state title (the 200 individual medley) and hold a state record.

Next week, Robb Schmidt of the YSU athletic department will be the guest speaker.