Saturday, February 22, 2014
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown State’s defense is getting a new leader, again.
Jamie Bryant, who was the Penguins’ special teams coach last season, will replace Joe Tresey as the team’s defensive coordinator, becoming the third defensive coordinator of Eric Wolford’s tenure.
WFMJ-TV first reported the move.
Tresey, who replaced Rick Kravitz two years ago, had a disappointing stint with the Penguins. His defense finished last in the Missouri Valley Football Conference last season, giving up 425.4 yards per game — more than 55 yards worse than the next-worst team, Indiana State.
YSU officials actually made the decision to replace Tresey after the season-ending 42-13 loss to South Dakota State, but delayed the announcement because his contract does not expire until the end of the month.
Bryant oversaw a much-improved special teams unit last fall, helping senior punter Nick Liste and kickoff returner Andre Stubbs both earn first team all-conference honors. Bryant spent the bulk of his coaching career at Southeastern Conference-member Vanderbilt, including two as defensive coordinator.
Tresey will be the third assistant coach to depart this offseason. Tight ends coach Mark Mangino left to become the offensive coordinator at Iowa State and wide receivers coach Kurt Beathard was hired as Illinois State’s offensive coordinator.
YSU finished 8-4 last season, missing the postseason by one game. It was the best mark of Wolford’s four-year tenure.