Jan. 19, 2010
Youngstown Native Frank Buffano Named to Penguins' Coaching Staff
Youngstown -- Youngstown State Head Football Coach Eric Wolford announced on Tuesday that Frank J. Buffano, a Youngstown native and graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School, has joined the Penguins' coaching staff. Buffano will coach the secondary, primarily working with the cornerbacks.
Wolford and Buffano worked together previously at Arizona. Buffano's work-ethic has always impressed Wolford, the coach said.
"He worked with a solid defensive unit at Arizona under Mike and Mark Stoops," Wolford said. "He is from Youngstown and knows the culture of this valley and has those hard-working traits. He will do an outstanding job coaching our corners. He is going to help us recruit in Cleveland and the Toledo/Western Ohio area and will give us a solid presence in those communities."
In his last two seasons with the Wildcats, Buffano served as a defensive graduate assistant working under coordinator Mark Stoops. Buffano's primary duties were working with the defensive backs. He coached the offensive scout team, broke down game film, and helped develop weekly game plans. He also had the duty of evaluating film of prospective student-athletes.
In 2009, Arizona posted an 8-5 overall mark tying for second in the Pac-10 Conference. In 2008, UA reached its first bowl game in nine seasons and finished the campaign with an 8-5 mark as well. The Wildcats played in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl in 2009 and the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl in 2008.
Prior to being elevated to the defensive graduate assistant position, Buffano worked for three years as a video graduate assistant in the operations side of the Wildcat program.
The Cardinal Mooney graduate began his coaching career at his alma mater as an assistant coach for the legendary Don Bucci from 1990 through 1996. He worked with the running backs and defensive backs for the Cardinals. The program reached the state semifinals in 1990 and 1996. As a player, he was part of the Mooney squad that won the Division III State Championship in 1987.