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Youngstown State - Football Camps

Youngstown State University Football Camps

Offensive Coaching Staff

Austen BujnochAusten Bujnoch
Assistant Football Coach - Offensive Line/Co-Offensive Coordinator

Austen Bujnoch is in his fifth season on the Youngstown State coaching staff under Head Coach Doug Phillips. Bujnoch serves as the Penguins' offensive line coach and has served as co-Offensive Coordinator since 2023.

An impressive season by the offensive line helped pave the way for one of the best offensive seasons in school history. YSU averaged a school-record 243.1 yards passing per game in 2023 eclipsing the old mark was 235.8 which was set back in 1972. YSU set school records for completions (270) and attempts (388) as well as percentage (69.6).

YSU's offense set a school record for 40-plus point games with six. YSU also set a new school record by scoring 30-or-more points in six straight games. The Penguins scored 28-plus points in all but two games. In 13 contests, the offensive line allowed just 18 sacks. The Guins led all of FCS by averaging 35:06 in time of possession per contest.

Junior Jaison Williams was named second-team All-MVFC to headline the unit's individual honors. Williams and Ryan Johnson started every game on the right side of the offensive line. David Metzler, who started for two straight years at left tackle, moved to guard while talented redshirt freshman Desmeal Leigh started all 13 games at left tackle. Aidan Parker moved from guard to center and made 11 starts while Van Keen filled in at center for two contests.

Leigh earned freshman second-team All-America honors from Stats Perform for his efforts during the year. Metzler and Parker earned Academic All-District honors as well.

The unit helped newcomer Tyshon King earn second-team All-MVFC accolades while rushing for more than 1,000 yards and nine scores. Senior Dra Rushton had a the best year of his career with 664 yards and nine touchdowns. QB Mitch Davidson had five rushing scores as well.

In 2022, an experienced line helped boost the fortunes of the YSU offense. Running back Jaleel McLaughlin was named the MVFC's Offensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, which honors the FCS's top offensive player. McLaughlin rushed for 1,588 yards on the season and late in the year set the NCAA All-Division career rushing record. As a team, YSU averaged 202.6 yards per game marking the second consecutive year it averaged more than 200 per contest.

Senior center Mike McAllister was named second-team All-MVFC while Williams was an honorable-mention All-MFVC selection. The veteran group featured strong play by starters Parker, Metzler and Johnson as well as one-year Guins Errol Walker and Joey Groeber.

YSU's offensive line helped pave the way for McLaughlin who was named first-team All-MVFC in 2021. McLaughlin rushed for 1,139 yards in 10 games and scored 12 touchdowns. First-year starting quarterback Demeatric Crenshaw rushed for 599 yards and seven touchdowns while being named the MVFC's Freshman of the Year. Williams was named Honorable Mention All-MVFC for his efforts during the season.

The Penguins' line showed tremendous progress during the 2021 spring campaign. A very inexperienced group came together and was able to help pave the way for McLaughlin who earned second-team All-MVFC accolades. McAllister started all seven games at center while Parker and Derek Hite settled in to starting roles at both guard positions. Entering the spring, only McAllister had played a snap on the offensive unit for the Guins.

He spent the 2019 season as the offensive line coach at Ohio Dominican. The Panthers posted a 7-3 record and played in the America’s Crossroads Bowl against Truman. ODU had a pair of offensive linemen named second-team All-G-MAC for their efforts. The Panthers averaged 30.3 points and 347.3 yards per contest during the campaign.

A standout offensive lineman at Cincinnati, Bujnoch was an offensive graduate assistant for the Bearcats from 2015-18. He was a member of Luke Fickell's staff that helped UC finish with 11 wins in 2018. The Bearcats ranked 15th in the country in rushing offense, 27th in scoring offense and 11th in third-down conversions in 2018.

At UC, he assisted the offensive staff in all facets of the program’s day-to-day operation, including practice planning and management, working with the defensive scout team, and assisting with the offensive line.

He coached four current NFL offensive linemen and coached under Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, amongst others, during his time at UC.

Bujnoch made 35 career starts at right guard for the Bearcats, including a streak of 32-consecutive starts from 2011-13.

As a senior, he was a 2012 First-Team All-BIG EAST Conference honoree and was an American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team honoree in 2013 and an Academic All-BIG EAST selection in 2011 and 2012.

Following his senior campaign, he was recognized as the John Pease Best Lineman at UC. Additionally, he grew his hair out and donated it to Locks of Love, a charity organization that makes wigs for patients with cancer and other hair disorders.

Following his graduation, he spent time in NFL camps with the New York Jets and St. Louis Rams.

Bujnoch, who starred at Elder High School in Cincinnati, has a bachelor’s degree in history from UC and earned his master’s degree in health education.

His father Glenn played in the NFL from 1976-84 with the Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Troy RothenbuhlerTroy Rothenbuhler
Assistant Football Coach - Offensive Coordinator/QBs

Troy Rothenbuhler is in his fifth year on the staff of Head Coach Doug Phillips. Rothenbuhler serves as the Penguins' Offensive Coordinator and coaches the quarterbacks.

A record-setting passing campaign sparked YSU to an eight-win season and first FCS playoff berth in seven seasons in 2023.

For the campaign, YSU averaged a school-record 243.1 yards passing per game in 2023 eclipsing the old mark was 235.8 which was set back in 1972. YSU set school records for completions (270) and attempts (388) as well as percentage (69.6).

YSU's offense set a school record for 40-plus point games with six. YSU also set a new school record by scoring 30-or-more points in six straight games. The Penguins scored 28-plus points in all but two games. The Guins led all of FCS by averaging 35:06 in time of possession per contest. Additionally, YSU averaged 32 points per game, its most in a season since 2013 and ranking tied for fifth in school history.

QB Mitch Davidson and WR Bryce Oliver played the primary roles in the record-setting campaign. Davidson passed for 3,088 yards completing 256-of-368 attempts (69.6 percent) and throwing for 24 touchdowns. His 234.8 yards per game were just behind the record set by Ron Jaworski in 1972 (235.8). Davidon set school season records for completions, yards, attempts and completion percentage while ranking second in TD passes. He tied the school record for 200-yard passing games in a season (eight) and set a record with four 300-yard games.

Oliver, who was named second-team All-MVFC, broke the school record for career receiving touchdowns. Oliver finished his three-year career with 26 touchdowns in 33 games at YSU. He tied the record against Murray State and broke it in the first round of the NCAA playoffs against Duquesne. The previous mark of 25 had been held by Jim Ferranti since 1979. For his YSU career, Oliver had 147 receptions for 2,065 yards and 26 scores.

During 2022, the offense showed its play-making ability behind Davidson, TB Jaleel McLaughlin and Oliver. McLaughlin was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference's Offensive Player of the Year while Oliver was the first YSU wide receiver since 2010 to be named first team all-conference.

McLaughlin rushed for 1,588 yards on the season and late in the year set the NCAA All-Division career rushing record. As a team, YSU averaged 202.6 yards per game marking the second consecutive year it averaged more than 200 per contest. Oliver finished the season with 59 catches for 821 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 10 receiving touchdowns were the most by a Penguin since 1983 and tied for the third-most in school history. Davidson started the final seven games of the season, and, for the year had 12 touchdown passes with just one interception in 201 attempts. Davidson also led the Penguins to three memorable late-game, fourth-quarter comebacks.

The offense committed only seven turnovers the entire season. YSU had one pass intercepted the final seven games and lost four fumbles, two of which came in the final nine games of the season.The Guins also won the time-of-possession battle holding the ball for 30:56.

In the fall of 2021, the Guins were led McLaughlin. McLaughlin rushed for 1,139 yards in just 10 games and scored 12 touchdowns. Redshirt freshman quarterback Demeatric Crenshaw showed his dynamic skill set at QB being named the MVFC's Freshman of the Year. Crenshaw ran for 599 yards and seven scores while completing 62.2 percent of his passes for 791 yards and six touchdowns. Oliver caught eight touchdown passes, the most by a Penguin wide receiver since 2010. For the season, the Guins lost just four fumbles and had an average time of possession of 31:47.

In the seven-game 2021 spring season, YSU's offense saw the emergence of McLaughlin. McLaughlin was a second-team All-MVFC selection and rushed for more than 100 yards in the final five contests of the year. He finished with 691 yards on 133 carries. The Penguins used QBs Joe Craycraft and Mark Waid to lead the unit in the spring. Waid led the Penguins with 527 yards passing and was second on the team with 283 yards on the ground. Offensive tackle Dan Becker also earned second-team all-league accolades.

YSU had one of the best ball control offenses in the country. The Penguins averaged 33:23 minutes in time of possession per game to rank 11th in the FCS. YSU had eight scoring drives of 12-or-more plays in the spring season. Also the Penguins had six drives of over seven minutes during the campaign.

Rothenbuhler has also served as the offensive coordinator at Bowling Green, Findlay, Heidelberg and Ohio Northern.

Prior to joining the YSU staff, Rothenbuhler spent the 2019 campaign at Eastern Kentucky. As the tight ends coach, he helped the Colonels to a 7-5 record. His tight ends group helped EKU lead the conference and finish 20th in the country in rushing.

Rothenbuhler spent the 2018 season with the Arizona Cardinals in the National Football League working with the quarterbacks in a quality control position.

He spent six successful seasons (2011-17) as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Findlay.

In 2017, he helped UF advance to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time in program history. During that season, Findlay was the only NCAA team to average 250-plus yards rushing and passing per game. That season, UF ranked sixth in the nation in scoring (44.5 ppg), third in total offense (515.5 ypg), third in third down conversion percentage (52.4) and fifth in time of possession (34:26). The Oilers had 41 rushing touchdowns and 31 passing for the year en route to posting a 10-3 record.

As the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Ohio Northern University for two seasons (2009-10), Rothenbuhler helped the team reach the second round of the 2010 NCAA Division III playoffs. In 2010, the Polar Bears averaged 32.9 points and 383.7 yards a contest. ONU had 29 rushing touchdowns and 19 passing TDs for the season posting a 10-2 overall mark and an 8-1 record in the OAC. In 2009, ONU averaged 35.7 points a contest and 366.8 yards a game. The offensive unit had 28 rushing scores and 16 passing touchdowns.

From 2003-08, Rothenbuhler served in a variety of roles at Bowling Green, including two seasons as assistant head coach and one as co-offensive coordinator. During his time with the Falcons, he also coached wide receivers, tight ends and defensive ends. He also served as the recruiting coordinator from 2003-07. BGSU played in three bowl games during that time.

In 2003, the Falcons went 11-3 overall and won the MAC West with a 7-1 record. They earned a final ranking of No. 23 in the AP and USA Today Coaches Poll following a win in the Motor City Bowl over Northwestern. In 2004, BGSU won the GMAC Bowl defeating Memphis and finished with a 9-3 overall record. The 2007 Falcons appeared in the GMAC Bowl and went 8-5 on the campaign.

He spent the 2002 season as offensive coordinator at Heidelberg College.

His first full-time coaching role came at Arkansas State. During his five-year tenure at ASU (1997-2001), he coached both the tight ends and receivers.

Rothenbuhler was a graduate assistant for the Buckeyes in 1995 and 1996 where he worked with the quarterbacks and tight ends. From 1992-94, he was a student assistant at OSU, assisting with the team’s wide receivers. The Buckeyes made an appearance in three Citrus Bowl's, a Holiday Bowl and a Rose Bowl.

He earned a bachelor’s of science in mathematical sciences from Ohio State in 1995.

He and his wife Amy have two children, Maddy and Jake. Maddy earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from YSU in December 2023.

Jelani BerassaJelani Berassa
Assistant Football Coach - Wide Receivers

Youngstown State wide receivers coach Jelani Berassa is in his second season with the program. The former Penguin joined Head Coach Doug Phillips' staff in February 2023.

Berassa, who was a member of the program from 2009 through 2014, helped coach a talented group to impressive numbers in 2023. That paid dividends as the Guins advanced to the FCS Playoffs for the first time in seven seasons.

In 2023, Bryce Oliver, Max Tomczak, C.J. Charleston all had 30-or-more receptions while others stepped up throughout the season.

With QB Mitch Davidson at the helm, and a taleted group of playmakers at the wide receiver position, YSU averaged a school-record 243.1 yards passing per game. The old mark was 235.8 set back in 1972. YSU set school records for completions (270) and attempts (388) as well as percentage (69.6). YSU's offense set a school record for 40-plus point games with six. YSU also set a new school record by scoring 30-or-more points in six straight games. The Penguins scored 28-plus points in all but two games.

Oliver was named second-team All-MVFC hauling in 64 passes for 978 yards and eight scores. During the season Oliver caught the 26th touchdown reception of his career to set the school's all-time record. The previous mark had stood since 1979.

Tomczak had a breakout season with 56 receptions for 669 yards and a score. Charleston returned after missing the 2022 campaign to haul in 33 passes for 467 yards and four scores. Luke Hensley had 15 catches, including two touchdown grabs while Joey Farthing caught nine passes, four of which were for scores.

Before returning to YSU, he spent five seasons at Florida A&M serving in wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator capacities.

At FAMU, he was instrumental to the development of All-American wide receiver Xavier Smith throughout his tenure. In Smith’s final season with the Rattlers he was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award which recognizes the top offensive player at the FCS level. During Smith's four seasons he caught 280 passes for 3,620 yards and 28 touchdowns. On two occasions, Smith caught 11 touchdown passes in the same season. In 2022, Smith had 87 catches for 1,021 yards and 11 TDs.

In 2022, Florida A&M finished the season with a 9-2 overall record closing out the year on a nine-game winning streak.

A native of Miami, Berassa began his coaching career at Delaware State, where he was wide receivers coach and camp director from 2014-17.

He has a strong familiarity with the program and Youngstown State University. The former YSU wide receiver caught 79 passes for 1,238 yards and 15 touchdowns in the Red and White with his best seasons coming in 2011 and 2014. As a senior in 2014, he had 32 catches for 564 yards and six touchdowns. In 2011, he had a career-high 37 receptions for 552 yards and eight touchdowns.

He earned his degree in Criminal Justice from YSU.

Berassa was a standout wide receiver at Miami Killian High School before joining the Penguins' program in the fall of 2009.

Reggie GambleReggie Gamble
Assistant Football Coach - Tight Ends

Reggie Gamble is in his second season with the Penguins serving as Tight Ends Coach. Gamble joined Coach Doug Phillips' staff in February 2023.

In 2023, the tight ends played a key role in helping the Guins return to the playoffs for the first time in seven years.

YSU's offense set a school record for 40-plus point games with six. YSU also set a new school record by scoring 30-or-more points in six straight games. The Penguins scored 28-plus points in all but two games. YSU averaged a school-record 243.1 yards passing per game. The old mark was 235.8 set back in 1972. YSU set school records for completions (270) and attempts (388) as well as percentage (69.6).

Three tight end hauled in touchdown passes - Jake Benio, Brandan Serrano and Colt Sechrest. As a unit, the tight ends caught 42 passes in the high-octane passing attack. The group also were key blockers as tailback Tyshon King rushed for more than 1,000 yards during the campaign.

Gamble came to Youngstown State after spending the previous 11 seasons at Division II Ashland. He served in various capacities for the Eagles during his tenure, including spending the last two seasons as Offensive Coordinator.

While at Ashland he also coached the defensive line, offensive line, fullbacks and tight ends.

In 2022, the Eagles reached the Region 1 semifinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs posting a 10-2 record. Offensively, UA averaged 29.3 points and 395 yards per contest. In 12 games, the Eagles turned the ball over just 15 times and averaged 32:08 in time of possession.

Ashland won the Great Midwest Conference title with a 7-1 record in league play. It was the program’s first title in just its second year in the conference. Five members of the offense were named to the GMC All-Conference first team while five others were second-team all-league picks.

In 2021, three offensive Eagles were named first-team all-conference and two were named second team in their first year of play in the Great Midwest Conference.

The Eagles also made the Division II postseason in 2017 and produced an 11-2 record that season. Ashland defeated Northwest Missouri State in the first round before dropping a contest to Harding in the Region 3 semifinals.

Gamble helped Adam Shaheen to become a second-round pick by the National Football League's Chicago Bears in 2017.

In 2015, Ashland went undefeated in the regular season claiming the GLIAC title. In the Region 4 Quarterfinal the Eagles were upset by Grand Valley State.

In 2012 and 2013, Gamble coached AU's defensive linemen. In 2012, the Eagles opened the year with 11 consecutive wins and reached the Super Region 4 Semifinals before losing to West Texas A&M.

Gamble joined the AU staff from Santa Barbara City College, where he was the offensive line and tight ends coach. His background also includes time spent as the offensive line coach at West Hills College.

Gamble was a starting offensive lineman with the Eagles for four years. He was a mainstay on the line in 2007 and 2008 when the Eagles advanced to the NCAA playoffs. Gamble was a second-team all-region pick in 2008, and that same season, he was named an honorable mention All-American. The offensive tackle also received All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors.

A native of Mansfield, Ohio, and played high school football at Mansfield Senior High School. He earned his degree from Ashland in 2009 and his Master’s Degree from Ashland in 2014.

Jeremy LarkinJeremy Larkin
Assistant Football Coach - Running Backs

Jeremy Larkin is in his second season with the Penguins serving as Running Backs Coach. Larkin joined Coach Doug Phillips' staff in February 2023.

In 2023, YSU advanced to the FCS playoffs for the first time in seven years. The running backs played a key role in Penguins offensive success during the campaign.

Newcomer Tyshon King and veteran Dra Rushton had outstanding seasons. King garnered second-team All-MVFC honors and was named to the league's All-Newcomer squad. He rushed for 1,011 yards on 187 carries and scored nine touchdowns while catching 18 passes. Rushton had a career-best season with 664 yards on 163 carries and had nine touchdowns. He also led the group with 20 receptions for 154 yards.

YSU's offense set a school record for 40-plus point games with six. YSU also set a new school record by scoring 30-or-more points in six straight games. The Penguins scored 28-plus points in all but two games. The Guins led all of FCS by averaging 35:06 in time of possession per contest.

Prior to joining the YSU staff, Larkin worked at Notre Dame and Northwestern.

He was a defensive anaylst for the Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame during the 2022 campaign. The Irish posted a 9-4 record and capped off the season with a victory over South Carolina in the Gator Bowl.

During the 2020 and 2021 campaigns he was a defensive graduate assistant at Northwestern for Coach Pat Fitzgerald. In 2020, the Wildcats finished 7-2 reaching the Big Ten title game. The program capped off an outstanding season with a win over Auburn in the Citrus Bowl.

As an undergraduate at Northwestern, Larkin was a running back for the program before transitioning into a student-assistant coach for his last two seasons.

Larkin played in 16 games during his Wildcats career from 2016-18 before retiring from the sport midway through the 2018 season.

He earned his bachelor's from Northwestern in 2020 and went onto earn his Masters of Sports Administration in 2022.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, he was a standout running back at LaSalle High School.