I would not say what happened in the 90's was a freak accident. What I would say is it was a once in a century type of decade for YSU football. And, the 90's are an aberration when compared to every other decade of YSU football. YSU historically is a 6-5 program. Look up the historic records.
YSU had alot of very good players. Those teams had a mix of excellent athletes who for one reason or another ended up at YSU instead of FBS schools. They had plenty of players who were overlooked by the FBS programs and even most FCS programs. Guys who could flat out play football, but were deemed too small or a step to slow. The program fared very well with local players who went away to Big Time FBS programs transferring back to YSU.
And, very importantly, they had a very good HC who had the patience to remain at YSU, whether than leaving for any FBS job offered. The only time prior to 2001 that I thought Tressel was going to leave was in 95 to go to Miami. Fortunately for YSU, there were personal reasons that kept him from taking the job, not too mention that Miami was on probation. After that point, I had a strong sense the only job he would leave for was OSU. That job usually come open every 8-12 years. I never thought he would get hired by OSU, as I figured they would go with a bigger "name". And, I thought his lack of FBS Head Coaching experience would be held against him.
It is rare for a HC like Tressel to stay at an FCS school for 15 years. He was wise enough to realise though that being a big fish in a small pond was better than a small fish in a big pond. OSU was too good of a job to turn down. The others, they were pretty much lateral moves, except for an increase in pay. I do remember Marsdhall made a run at Tressel, but there is no way he was taking that job. At YSU, Tressel also had Conatser by his side most of those years, along with Stoops. And, then a bunch of good, hungry assistant coaches, that have gone on to be DC's, OC's and HC's at FBS programs. Enough consistency with the staff for there to be a sense of stability, and then a good mix of young, talented assistants that bought into what Tressel was selling. And, then those coaches, along with Tressel got the players to buy in, which is very important. After a rough start the first 3 years, YSU became consistently one of the top programs in FCS. And, when that happened, then the majority of the upper class players worked on getting the frosh and transfers to "buy in". Throw in being at a school in an area that needed something to help life the spirits of the community and an area where football is extremely popular, and you have the framework for a dynasty. And, at that time, there were alot more kids playing high school football in the "State of Youngstown" that had the ability to play at YSU. And, Tressel and his staff did a great job getting this kids to YSU, not too mention letting the guys who went to FBS schools that they would be welcome at YSU if things did not work out at their chosen school.
I could be wrong, but my take on Wolford is he was only going to be at YSU 4 or 5 years either way. He would either come in an turn things around, then go off to be HC at an FBS school, or have what happened end up happening, and then get fired. But, that is the kind of person who is most likely to have success at an FCS school. A person hungry to prove they can be an HC, and who has their aspirations set much higher than YSU.
AS for the report Stoops will be DC, that is surprising. I figured Pelinin would be DC. Defense is his strength, and he has enough experience as an HC to be able to handle being both HC and DC. I wonder if Stoops is going to be co-Defensive Coordinator, or something of that sort, and Balash just reported the info incorrectly?
