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Wolford on PSU: ‘We’re ready’
By JOE SCALZO
YOUNGSTOWN
Four days before his first game, YSU head football coach Eric Wolford was asked a simple question — “Are you traveling on Friday?” — and gave a very detailed answer.
“Friday, we’ll leave at 2 o’clock,” he said. “We’ll arrive [at Happy Valley] at 5. At 6 o’clock, we’ll have our [Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting]. And at 6:20 we’ll have dinner, 7 o’clock special teams, 7:20, we’ll have a movie, 9:20 team meeting, 9:40 snack, 10 o’clock bed check.”
He paused, then smiled.
“We’re ready,” he said.
More than eight months after he was hired as the Penguins’ sixth football coach, Wolford will make his debut against the winningest coach in Football Bowl Subdivision history, Joe Paterno, on the 50th anniversary of Beaver Stadium.
“A lot of anticipation, a lot of excitement,” Wolford said. “I’m sure when Friday night comes, I’ll be a little bit tense.
“It’s something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time.”
Although his roster is filled with new faces and a new coaching staff, Wolford doesn’t come across like a man cramming for an exam. He admitted a few more days of preparation would be nice — “You’d always like a couple more,” he said — but didn’t sound all that convincing.
“My players are tired of each other right now,” he said. “They need to get out and play someone new.”
Over the last 16 years, as he climbed the coaching ranks and developed a reputation as a fiery coach and dogged recruiter, Wolford has known he’d eventually be a head coach somewhere. The fact that he could do it in his hometown has made it more special.
“It’s an honor to be the head coach here at Youngstown,” the Ursuline High graduate said. “It’s an honor to represent this university, it’s an honor to play Penn State, it’s an honor to be on the same field as Coach Paterno.
“I feel blessed to have that opportunity.”
Wolford has planned every detail, from what his team will wear while traveling (suit and tie) to what the weather is supposed to be (mid-60s) to what he’ll wear on the sideline.
“I’ll probably wear an Under Armour shirt,” he said. “I’ll probably wear a black one; it’ll make me look thinner.”
Wolford is a big believer in visualization. He’s told his players to spend five or 10 minutes each day thinking about their assignments and responsibilities, believing it will slow the game down.
“You can’t show up and flip a switch on game day,” he said.
The same is true for coaches. As former UCLA coach John Wooden often said, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”
One thing is certain — Wolford is prepared.
“I feel good about where we are,” Wolford said. “I’m confident in my football team.”