SPORTS DIGEST || Carl Pelini might be returning to YSU

Carl Pelini might be returning to YSU

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State’s former defensive coordinator may be coming back after a one-year absence.

Footballscoop.com reported on Saturday that Carl Pelini is leaving his job as defensive coordinator at Bowling Green to return to YSU to take the same title, citing unnamed sources. FootballScoop also reported that there is “either expressly or the understanding” that he is to be the head coach in waiting.

YSU athletic director Ron Strollo said he cannot confirm or deny the report.

The twitter account for Bowling Green’s football team announced Pelini’s departure, but did not specify where he is going.

Carl Pelini is the older brother of Penguins head coach Bo Pelini and served as his defensive coordinator from 2015 through 2017 during Bo’s tenure at YSU.

Carl Pelini left YSU after the 2017 season to serve under Mike Jinks at Bowling Green. He took over as the interim head coach after Jinks was fired and finished out the season 2-3. The Falcon’s’ defense was rated 106th out of 129 teams in Pelini’s season with Jinks in terms of total defense. New BGSU coach Scot Loeffler retained Pelini when he took over the program.

Bo Pelini has completed the final season of a four-year contract, going 4-7. His deal will expire in February, but Strollo has previously said that he and Bo Pelini have an understanding that he will return.

Should Carl Pelini return in an assistant coaching role, one assistant will have to leave. NCAA rules allow a maximum 10 assistant coaches.

Curbstone Coaches to host weekly luncheon

Beaver Township

The Curbstone Coaches will have their weekly luncheon meeting on Monday at the Avion Banquet Center on Western Reserve Road.

The event begins at noon and the public is welcome to attend.

Plans are under way for the 52nd annual Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame Induction ceremony which is set for May 5 at Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman. The keynote speaker will be former Major League Baseball umpire John Hirschbeck. Tickets are available by contacting Patty Schuley at 330-207-8157.

USA’s winning streak ends in France

LE HAVRE, FRANCE

Kadidiatou Diani scored twice and France ended the U.S. national women’s soccer team’s 28-game unbeaten streak with a 3-1 victory Saturday.

The top-ranked United States had not lost since falling 1-0 to Australia in 2017, The Americans were 25-0-3 over the span.

Marie-Antoinette Katoto also scored for third-ranked France. It has won eight straight matches.

It was the first of 10 matches the United States will play before the World Cup.

The Americans are the defending champions and could meet France again in the tournament’s quarterfinals.

France went up in the ninth minute on Diani’s goal off a cross from Delphine Cascarino. Diani scored again in the 57th minute to make it 2-0. The 23-year old plays for Paris Saint-Germain.

Katoto, Diani’s PSG teammate, added a goal in the 78th minute.

Mallory Pugh scored for the United States in the final moments.

Jaguars resign Wilson to 3-year contract

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have re-signed safety Jarrod Wilson to a three-year contract.

Wilson was set to become a restricted free agent on March 13.

Wilson started the final two games this season, filling in for injured starter Ronnie Harrison. Harrison, a rookie and a third-round draft pick from Alabama, stepped into a starting role in place of waived veteran Barry Church.

Wilson, who signed with Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent in 2016, has appeared in 47 games with two starts during his three-year career. Wilson has 21 tackles, two pass breakups and one forced fumble.

He also has been a standout on special teams, totaling 16 tackles.

Staff/wire report