The Youngstown State Penguins began the Bo Pelini era as the team went through their first spring practice. Pelini, a Youngstown native who has been one of the most successful college coaches over the last seven years, seemed pleased with the team’s effort after day one.

“Overall, across the board I like the effort,” Pelini said. I like the tempo. The communication was pretty good out there on the field on both sides of the football. We got a lot accomplished today.”

Pelini has built his reputation on being one of the better defensive minds in football. His overall record at Nebraska speaks for itself, ranking third overall in games coached behind only Tom Osborne (307) and Bob Devaney (123). Pelini finished 67-27 and the Cornhuskers’ appeared in a bowl game every single-season he was on the sidelines as the teams’ head coach.

“I thought offensively there was carry over,” Pelini said about the offense being similar the last year’s scheme. “Defensively I was fairly pleased with their level of learning. The things they were able to bring from the meeting rooms on the practice field. But we have along way to go.”

The buzz surrounding the football program since his hiring has been received with an astounding positive response. Pelini’s persona is woven in the fabric of the area he grew up in. Hardnosed with a blue-collar demeanor he is a throwback to a time when the steel industry and football program thrived in Youngstown. Pelini can not save the steel industry, but he can restore the Penguins back to national prominence.

It is not about winning games at YSU, it’s about winning championships ever since Jim Tressel (the Penguins former head coach and now school President) won four Division I-AA titles (1991, 1993–94 and 1997).

Pelini inherits a roster that included three 2014 All-Missouri Valley Football players. Defensive end Derek Rivers earned first team honors and running back Martin Ruiz and defensive end Terrell Williams both earned second team accolades. His standout Penguins play similar positions to the stars leaving Nebraska for the NFL Draft in 2015. Running back Ameer Abdullah and defensive end Randy Gregory thrived under the tutelage of Pelini and the same results should follow for his new players’ at Youngstown State.

“Defensively it’s drastically different then what they’ve done in the past,” Pelini said. “Yah know philosophically.”

The Penguins finished fourth overall in defense in the MVFC allowing 375 yards per game. With a backbone of defensive prowess Pelini’s influence should add another dimension the defense that has already tasted success.

“To be a good football team is having attention to detail in all areas,” Pelini said and felt comfortable with the team’s first spring practice.

He discussed the level and tempo and complimented former YSU head coach Eric Wolford for building a good “foundation to build on” with the Penguins.

“That’s better for me,” joked senior linebacker Dubem Nwadiogbu on Coach Pelini’s background and expertise on the defensive side of the football. “It’s more of an aggressive type of approach. You can tell he really focuses on defense. Defense wins championships and offenses win games.”

Nwadiogbu mentioned that the early rally cry from Pelini is to “basically hustle” and hammering in the idea to never stop and just run to the ball.

“If you are going to mess up do it at full speed. That’s about all that he says,” Nwadiogbu said.

Pelini lives by what he preaches to his players. Overall, the 12 college teams Pelini has been a part of have compiled an impressive 122-37 record, winning at least nine games every season. His defenses have posted 10 shutouts and held the opposition to seven points or fewer 42 times. Those kind results do not come by not going all out and missing attention to detail…

“I love what I do,” Pelini said. “I love coaching. I love being back here (Youngstown).”

The feeling is mutual from a fan base craving the glory days with Tressel, and they believe Pelini is the man to restore that pride back to Youngstown State.