Ex-YSU coach Wolford hired at Oklahoma State

Staff/wire report

STILLWATER, OKLA.

Eric Wolford is headed back to the heartland.

The former Youngstown State coach was hired as an offensive assistant coach at Oklahoma State on Thursday, returning to the conference where he played collegiately as an offensive lineman at Kansas State.

Wolford also began his coaching career at KSU, followed by stints at Emporia State, South Florida, Houston, North Texas, Arizona, Illinois and South Carolina.

The Ursuline High graduate and Brookfield native was fired in November after going 31-26 in five seasons at Youngstown State, missing the playoffs each season. He was 14-18 in Missouri Valley Football Conference play.

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy also added Houston running backs coach Dan Hammerschmidt as a defensive coach on Thursday.

“Dan brings experience and maturity to our defensive staff and I’m excited about what he brings to the table for our defensive backs,” Gundy said in a statement on the school’s website. “The same as Dan, Eric is a very experienced and mature coach. Both of them have recruiting ties in the state of Texas and we are looking forward to their contributions to Oklahoma State.”

Gundy is 84-44 with the Cowboys, including a 7-6 mark last season. They went 4-5 in the Big 12.

Wolford’s contract called for a $100,000 buyout, which will be offset by his salary at Oklahoma State.

The Penguins hired Bo Pelini to replace Wolford in mid-December.