While the Youngstown State Penguins have found new coaches in new positions, they will have to fill in another one for the tight ends and a partial coach for the Offensive Line. That is because John Peterson, who was Youngstown State’s offensive line and tight ends coach from 2019 to 2022, is reuniting in Cincinnati with a familiar face. As John Peterson leaves YSU for Cincinnati, there is a whole storyline that goes with it.
That familiar face is none other than Cincinnati head football coach Luke Fickell. Fickell, this past season led the Bearcats to their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. This was also the first time a group of five team had ever made it to the playoffs.
The time together
Both Peterson and Fickell were part of the Jim Tressel coaching tree from their time together at Ohio State from 2004 to 2011. Both coaches under Tressel appeared in two National Championship games but both parted after 2011 when the Buckeyes finished with a record of six and seven.
Coaching Background
Peterson’s other experiences were as a grad assistant at Cincinnati, Akron, Miami (OH), UAB, Pittsburgh and now recently Youngstown State. Peterson has had many players selected in the NFL Draft or who have made an NFL Roster.
One of Peterson’s former students, Brian O’Neill was named to the Pro Bowl this past season for the Minnesota Vikings. He also coached Chris Hubbard who has played with the Pittsburgh Steelers and recently the Cleveland Browns and Mike Adams who retired after the 2016 season, playing for the Steelers and the Chicago Bears.
New Role for the Bearcats
Peterson’s new role according to FootballScoop consists of him being in an off-the-field role for the program. While he gets comfortable in his new role, so will his son at Youngstown State in Cole Peterson. Cole will become the Penguins Director of Football Operations and Player Personnel. He is the youngest in the country in this role at the Division One level.
