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We are spoiled here in Youngstown with a plethora of college football coaching greats. We have the Stoops', Pelini's, Mangino's, Narduzzi's, Dantonio's, and then our man Tressel.

Tomorrow, Youngstown State will announce that Jon Heacock will be fired from his job as Head Coach effective immediately. The coaching search will begin this week.

Some prominent names are in the discussion for head coach..
-Bob Davie- YSU alum, former ND Head Coach, and ESPN analyst.
-Mark Stoops- Youngstown native, asst. at Arizona.
-JD Brookhart- Current Akron head coach, likely to be fired.
-Walt Harris- Current Akron asst, and former Pitt head coach.
-Larry Kehres- The great Mt. Union head coach. Best program in any division in NCAA football.
-DJ Durkin- Youngstown native, asst. at Stanford.

You may be thinking, YSU fans are simply dreaming, but these names are coming from people 'in the know' in the program. I also heard an asst. at Appalachian State is a name that can be thrown into the mix as well.

What say you?
Read about the search on http://www.LetsGoGuins.com.

"Due to his great love of the Penguin program, we here at Youngstown State University are proud to announce as our new head football coach........
Cap'n Cat."

Some interesting names there, Guin. Keep us updated.

Good candidates, except the Akron coach. Why would you hire a coach who hasn't done a good job, and is about to get fired?

Other than that, the others seem like they could be great choices.

Little surprise here, he was not fired, he has stepped down as of 20 minutes ago:

http://ysusports.com/football/2009/Heac ... elease.pdf

what's the difference?

Step Down- Don't pay final year of contract.
Fire- Pay final year of contract.

$120,000 is the difference.

The mount Union coach would be a great pick up. The problem might be big time recruiting though (although I'm sure he has to do some there).

Let me rephrase what I said. Heacock definitely got money, but probably not all $120,000 he was due to make next year. I doubt we get the Mt. Union guy. He has turned down so many D1 offers, unless he wants to take the 30 minute drive northeast to YSU!

guinzone wrote:Let me rephrase what I said. Heacock definitely got money, but probably not all $120,000 he was due to make next year. I doubt we get the Mt. Union guy. He has turned down so many D1 offers, unless he wants to take the 30 minute drive northeast to YSU!

Thanks for clarifying, I really doubted that a coach would voluntarily step down (barring involvement in illegal or immoral activities) prior to contract expiration without some sort of severance package. That would be dumb.

guinzone wrote:Let me rephrase what I said. Heacock definitely got money, but probably not all $120,000 he was due to make next year. I doubt we get the Mt. Union guy. He has turned down so many D1 offers, unless he wants to take the 30 minute drive northeast to YSU!

Larry is afraid of flying that why he's never left MU.

ysubigred wrote:

guinzone wrote:Let me rephrase what I said. Heacock definitely got money, but probably not all $120,000 he was due to make next year. I doubt we get the Mt. Union guy. He has turned down so many D1 offers, unless he wants to take the 30 minute drive northeast to YSU!

Larry is afraid of flying that why he's never left MU.

Interesting ysubigred. Never knew that.

Thoughts on YSU joining the CAA?
http://letsgoguins.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=39

Why are YSU and IllSt people always looking for someplace else to go? Making the FBS jump, or joining different conferences is all they talk about it seems.

DJH wrote:Why are YSU and IllSt people always looking for someplace else to go? Making the FBS jump, or joining different conferences is all they talk about it seems.

For YSU:
-No geographical rivalries in the MVFC, though I love the MVFC.
-Travel too far to Dakota's for some fans.
-Miss out on every MAC Geographical Rival.

I really am content in the MVFC, but it is something to ponder... Makes for some good discussion!

DJH wrote:Why are YSU and IllSt people always looking for someplace else to go? Making the FBS jump, or joining different conferences is all they talk about it seems.

I don't blame YSU for contemplating other conferences that might be a better geographical fit.
And it isn't like they have MVC ties in any other sports. Whether that be moving "up" to FBS, or joining a different FCS conference. Not sure how much success they'd have in the FBS, but they do tend to have decent attendance (well, in the books anyway), and they might be able to contend alright in a lower-tier conference like the MAC.

As for Illinois State, the talk of them moving to FBS seems silly to me. I just don't see the level of fan support needed for that.

JayJ79 wrote:

DJH wrote:Why are YSU and IllSt people always looking for someplace else to go? Making the FBS jump, or joining different conferences is all they talk about it seems.

I don't blame YSU for contemplating other conferences that might be a better geographical fit.
And it isn't like they have MVC ties in any other sports. Whether that be moving "up" to FBS, or joining a different FCS conference. Not sure how much success they'd have in the FBS, but they do tend to have decent attendance (well, in the books anyway), and they might be able to contend alright in a lower-tier conference like the MAC.

As for Illinois State, the talk of them moving to FBS seems silly to me. I just don't see the level of fan support needed for that.

Not at all, Jay. Shoulda seen their facilities. They hadn't swept out the visiting locker room since I was there last in 1985. Terrible.

Hey Capn you get that job you interviewed for?

If not you could step up at YSU.

Cap'n Cat wrote:Not at all, Jay. Shoulda seen their facilities. They hadn't swept out the visiting locker room since I was there last in 1985. Terrible.

haven't seen the ISU visitors lockerroom (or any lockerroom for that matter), but I have been to that stadium to watch a game.

Athletic Director's Press Conference:
http://letsgoguins.com/columns/football ... conference

In there, he makes mention Tressel will advise him on the final candidates he will choose from. Rumor is Davie may be the front-runner. Again, take that for what it is worth.

With our first class stadium, $10 million WATTS Center to be put up this offseason, and the tradition of YSU, we'll get some top notch candidates.

Here is a huge list of possible replacements for Jon Heacock:
http://letsgoguins.com/columns/football ... g-database

It sounds like the Marshall Head Coach may be getting a boot, he may be an early front-runner.

Mount Union coach should get a real close look. He has made that the top D3 schools and I think he would do a great job with even more resources than what he is working with now

YSU is planning on interviewing Youngstown Native Eric Wolford, the run game coordinator and offensive line coach at South Carolina. He has also coached at Illinois, Houston, etc.

http://letsgoguins.com/columns/football ... ic-wolford

Mark Stoops, brother to Mike (Arizona) and Bob (Oklahoma) is the front-runner to take over as head coach at Youngstown State. The Youngstown native and Arizona Defensive Coordinator is so far into the process that the pay for the asst' coaches seems to be the only thing holding the discussions up.

This would be an ENORMOUS signing for YSU.
Source: http://letsgoguins.com/columns/football ... ark-stoops