Coach Wolford’s enthusiasm could be contagious at YSU

At a time when Youngstown State University, like other public institutions of higher learning in Ohio, is being forced to rethink its mission, football remains the constant. Fans of the YSU Penguins have shown time and again that their loyalty is unshakable.

To be sure, the loyalty was amply rewarded during 15 seasons under Coach Jim Tressel, who posted a 135-57-2 record with four national championships and six appearances in the title game.

Tressel’s successor, Jon Heacock, had a winning record in his nine seasons at YSU, but the 59 wins against 44 losses and three losing seasons brought the inevitable comparison to the Tressel era. And Heacock was found to be lacking. He resigned on Nov. 22.

Now, it’s Eric Wolford’s turn — and the loyal fans are hoping that his hometown connection is magic.

Wolford, whose parents live in Broofield, is an Ursuline High School graduate, but football has taken him around the country. He returns to the Valley with an enthusiasm about YSU’s program that may well be contagious.

But Wolford is also aware that like his predecessor, Heacock, he will be judged by the standard set by Tressel. Perhaps it’s time to stop the comparisons.

Wolford had it right when he told a news conference this week at which he was introduced to the press and the community, “No one person is bigger than this team, program or university. If we want to get back to what the expectations are, it’s going to take a community effort. I’m calling on you because I can’t do it alone, but we can do it together.”

Local recruitment

Wolford said a lot of things that should excite supporters, but his commitment to recruit players from schools in the region should endear him to residents who believe that having team members with roots in the Valley will bolster the fan base.

“There’s going to be talk and how you respond to talk is how we get ready to nail this first recruiting class,” the new coach said. “Youngstown doesn’t know what it has because we’re going to recruit like it hasn’t been done in a long time. We’ll be in every school and we’ll be in kids’ homes.”

Wolford’s new assignment coincides with the board of trustees’ search for a new president to replace Dr. David Sweet, who is retiring on June 30.

There are four finalists, including one, Dr. Cynthia Anderson, who has had a long connection to YSU. Anderson is vice president for student affairs.

It would be instructive to hear what each of the finalists has to say about the role of athletics in an open admission, urban institution that faces financial and academic challenges.

This week’s report that YSU could have lost more than $7 million in state funding if the biennium budget had not been approved by the state Senate does turn the spotlight on the amount of money that has been committed to the football program.

Coach Wolford will be paid $200,000 a year, while his 10 assistant coaches will be paid out of a $550,000 pool. With that kind of spending, the athletic department under Director Ron Strollo must find a way to bolster the football program’s revenues.