Under the direction of first-year Head Coach Eric Wolford, and an entire new coaching staff, the Youngstown State football team begins spring drills on Wednesday afternoon.

For just the sixth time in school history, a new head coach will lead the program and in 2010, Wolford is ready to mold this group, which features 20 seniors, into a fundamentally sound and accountable squad as quickly as possible.

The Penguins are scheduled to practice each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday the next four weeks with the culmination of Spring Drills set for Saturday, April 10 with the annual Red-White Spring Game. The first day in pads is Saturday, March 20, while scrimmages are set for March 27 and April 3.

YSU does return a good amount of experience from last season's 6-5 squad.

On offense, all-conference selections Eric Rodemoyer and Dominique Barnes lead the way for new coordinator Shane Montgomery. Rodemoyer played primarily left guard last season, but say some action later in the campaign as a left tackle. He was a second-team All-Missouri Valley Football and named the team's top Offensive Lineman. Barnes, an honorable-mention pick, led the conference in touchdown receptions with eight and caught 60 passes, which ranks as the sixth-highest single-season total in school history.

The positions on offense that will garner the most attention will be quarterback and tailback. Only two players, out of nine at those spots on the roster, have played in an FCS contest -- quarterback Marc Kanetsky and tailback Jamaine Cook.

Kanestsky started and played the first quarter in the season finale last November at North Dakota State. Kurt Hess and Gannon Hulea each redshirted last season while freshman Meiko Locksley joined the program in January after graduating from high school in December. Brandon Summers had been the primary starter the past two years and leaves the program having set a record for career and season completion percentage.

Cook had 20 carries for 111 yards during his true freshman season in 2009. Torrian Pace redshirted last year while Devanuel Samuel and Paris Wicks were members of the team, but did not see action.

At fullback, senior Kyle Banna has the only experience. Banna missed the first four games last season after recovering from a knee injury he suffered in 2009. His brother, Dan, and Rob Stupar both redshirted last season as freshmen.

Barnes leads a talented group of wide receivers. Entering his senior campaign, he has a reception in 21 consecutive contests and has caught 101 passes in his career. Josh Lee had four receptions - two versus Austin Peay and two against North Dakota State - and will be counted on to play a larger role. Jelani Berassa caught four passes last season in his inaugural campaign. Others who could be called on to see action are Ely Ducatel, Dionte Snow, Trey Rich and Trevell Brown.

At tight end, both David Rogers and Andy Colegrove return. Each saw time as a starter in 2009. Rogers was the leading receiver with eight catches, while Colegrove's lone grab was for a touchdown. Rogers suffered an injury in the season finale at North Dakota State and is trying to return for spring ball. Carson Sharbaugh and Kyle Sirl both redshirted in the fall.

The offensive line is the most experienced of the unit. Eric Rodemoyer, Bobby Coates, Andrew Radakovich, Tyler Figueroa, Greg Sazdanoff, Chris Gammon, Bill Dugan and Justin Rechichar all started at some point in 2009. Rodemoyer was a second-team all-conference pick as a guard. YSU lost only one lineman from last season's team in right guard Brian Mellott.

D.J. Main, Kyle Brown, Marcus O'Hara, redshirt freshman Brandon White and Bowling Green transfer Marc Stevens will look to find time at a deep area.

The defensive front lost stalwarts Mychal Savage and Crispin Fernandez, but the cupboard is not bare. Luke Matelan started all 11 games last season while fellow senior Torrance Nicholson has been a starter in the past and was a top-line reserve last year. Junior Joe Marshall has also seen significant playing time in the past two seasons. Linebacker John Sasson has moved up to an end position and will join Josh Myers and Jaimie Frasure as experienced players at those positions. Also on the front line, seniors Roger Gillum, Rob Fernback and Brad Miller have seen action in the past. Others that will help out across the front are Fred Herdman, Obinna Ekweremuba, Brett Lemke,  D.J. Moss and Jimmy Dickson.

The linebackers are a strong group with Taylor Hill, Deonta Tate, Stephen Meadows, Na'eem Outler and David Rach having starting experience. Meadows was the Guins' starting rush end for all 11 games last season and is joined by Joel Younkins as players who have experience. Hill became the first freshman to lead in the team in tackles since 1986 a year ago, while Outler led the position in tackles for losses and sacks. Others who could see action are Noah Taylor and Michael Kreatsoulas who have each been with the program for three seasons. Sophomore Mike Williams redshirted last season and is joined by Chase Lemke and Ethan Slark.

At cornerback, senior Brandian Ross started all 11 games, while the other position is up for grabs. Ross had 47 tackles and tied for the team lead with two interceptions in 2009. The other corner spot is vacant with the departure of Lenny Wicks. Randy Louis and Jerome Swinton each saw some action last season. Louis has the most experience of that duo. The other individuals playing the position this spring are Matt Romeo, Vance Gibbs, Christian Smith and Kevin Sims.

The safeties feature experience at both spots. Honorable-Mention All-MVFC selection Andre Elliott returns and has started each of the past two years at free safety. Scott Sentner and David Fleming each bring experience to the back end at the free spot. At strong safety, Nick Gooden has started nine games in the past two seasons while David Fleming saw solid action last year as a redshirt freshman. Others who could contribute at either safety spot are redshirt Dom Rich along with Mike McGlone and Troy Rice.

On special teams, senior placekicker/kickoff specialist Stephen Blose returns along with punter Erik Johnson. Blose made all 27 of his PAT conversions last season and was 9-of-16 on field-goal attempts. Blose has handled kickoff duties each of the past three seasons. Johnson punted 11 times, however four were downed inside the 20-yard line and just two were returned. Bob Gratz and Nick Liste, a redshirt, will vie for time at the placekicker spot while Jarrod Satmare help with punting duties. Nate Schkurko and Bryan Whitaker return as long snappers while Kanetsky is back as the holder for the third consecutive year.

Barnes and Cook combined to return 29 kickoffs. Barnes had 20 runbacks while Cook returned nine. Lee has also been in the mix as a kickoff returner the past two years. As far as punt returns, the Penguins will be looking for a playmaker to file that role this spring.