When head coach Bill Narduzzi took over the reigns of the Penguin football program in time for the 1975 season (he took over for Rey Dempsey), one of the things he needed to do was recruit a class that would lend immediate help so they could maintain the level of grid excellence after their first playoff season in 1974.
Narduzzi assembled one of the best classes up until that time, and while the 1975 season wasn't a play-off season for the penguins, what happened in 1978 and 1979 was no mistake for the 1975 recruiting class had quite a bit to do with the success of the team in the latter part of the decade.
Jeff Lear was one of the most agile and versatile linemen to ever play for the penguins, and he was a big part of the original recruiting class by Narduzzi. He helped to anchor the one of the most powerful offensive lines in the division II over the next several seasons.
A tackle by trade, the Elyria, OH, native (Senior High School) helped the penguins to a 38-17-0 overall mark with the 1978 squad posting a 10-2-0 mark and making it to the semi-finals before losing to the Eastern Illinois University. He then helped the 1979 squad to an 11-2-0 mark and a runner-up trophy in Division II.
Called one of the toughest players ever coached by Narduzzi, the late Penguin mentor witnessed first hand his play on the field which led him to First-Team All-American selection by the Associated Press in 1979, his senior season.
Currently a Purchasing Agent at Waco-Scaffolding & Equipment, he is, married to the former Karen Boone. They reside in Elyria, Ohio.
