Penguins reflect on changing of guard

By John Bassetti

YOUNGSTOWN — How does it feel to end the season with one head coach and embark on the next with another?

For Youngstown State’s Eric Rodemoyer, Andre Elliott, Taylor Hill and Marc Kanetsky, the answers vary.

After Jon Heacock’s resignation on Nov. 22, the Penguins were without a head football coach until Tuesday.

The introduction of Eric Wolford as the school’s sixth head coach ended the predicament.

Is it the same program with a different leader?

“The players are excited that something has happened and, most of all, we’re ready to hit the weight room and get back in the grind of turning this thing around because we know 6-5 won’t cut it here at Youngstown State,” said Rodemoyer, an offensive guard and tackle from Kennedy Catholic in Hermitage, Pa.

If there was a lull between coaches, it’s over.

“Everyone is ready to go to work,” said Rodemoyer, a business management major who has one more season remaining.

“He brings a lot of energy and especially because I consider myself an overachiever, too,” Rodemoyer said of Wolford’s words during Tuesday’s press conference. “I think that’s how you win — everyone has to be an overachiever.”

A chord that struck Elliott was Wolford’s passion for recruiting.

“I’m ready to see what’s going to happen and get this thing rolling. Recruiting is important. If I can help, let’s do it and get us ready for next season.”

How would Elliott, a free safety, deal with the possibility of being displaced by a new recruit?

“That’s OK with me, anything to help this team win,” Elliott said. “I’ll do my role and get the job done.”

Elliott addressed the overachiever aspect of Wolford’s personality.

“We’re overachievers, too. We work hard. Most guys went home [over the break], but I’m from Cleveland and stayed here just to work out. I’m sure we’ve got a lot of players doing the same thing.”

Elliott said he’s receptive to benefiting from Wolford’s expertise.

“It’s always exciting to try something new, so an offensive-minded coach will be great for me too. Maybe I could learn a few things from him about the offensive side that I didn’t know much about.”

What Heacock carryover effect will Elliott remember?

“He always stressed class and coach-ability,” Elliott said. “You’ve got to practice with class and play with class and play with passion and do the right things, like going to class — the same things Coach Wolford has in mind.”

Hill said there was no limbo.

“Coach Heacock stuck around even after he made his decision [to resign]. He was still there for us.”

Hill felt comfortable because he was still in contact with his position coach: Jerry Olsavsky.

Hill, a linebacker, isn’t fazed by the offense-orientated Wolford.

“I like what he says about having a dynamic offense. I’d get to play against that in practice and make me better on defense.”

Kanetsky finished his sophomore season by starting the first quarter at quarterback during the North Dakota State game.

“It was nice to get back in the rhythm and to get game action and go out in front of a crowd,” Kanetsky said. “Hopefully, it carries over.”

What are the Hubbard product’s prospects for starting in 2010?

“With a new coach, everything’s up in the air until you prove yourself. I’m trying, personally, to do everything I can to show that I could play here.

“I was a local guy walking-on because they weren’t taking a scholarship quarterback my [high school] senior year. I’ve tried showing that I could play at this level and be successful here. That’s putting a little chip on my shoulder that I’ve got to go out and prove everybody wrong.”

Kanetsky came to YSU with a full academic scholarship, but now gets extra book money through football.

In the background during Wolford’s introduction was former Chaney High standout Anthony Floyd.

Now 28, the former All-Ohioan was hoping to meet with YSU’s new coach with intentions of landing a staff post.

“I’m looking to start coaching and thought this would be an opportunity,” said Floyd, who played at Louisville and against Houston when Wolford was an assistant with the Cougars.

Floyd said that Louisville beat Houston in Conference USA games in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

“I’m young enough to relate to players and, in recruiting, to understand what parents are talking about,” Floyd said.

bassetti@vindy.com