Pete Rekstis Named Defensive Coordinator

KENT, Ohio -- Pete Rekstis, who has most recently served as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Youngstown State University, has been named to the same position at Kent State University, KSU head coach Dean Pees announced Friday (Dec. 19).

Rekstis (pronounced REX-tis) has coached the secondary at Youngstown State since 1999 and coordinated the Penguins defense the last three seasons. In 1999, Youngstown State posted a record of 12-3 and advanced to the Division I-AA national championship game, losing to Georgia Southern University 59-24. In Rekstis five years at YSU, the Penguins intercepted 74 passes, an average of nearly 15 per season. In addition, Youngstown State forced an average of 28 turnovers the past three seasons, with a high of 36 in 2001. The Penguins ranked 14th in the nation in scoring defense in 2001, holding opponents to seven points or fewer five times. During his tenure at YSU, Rekstis tutored a pair of I-AA All-America defensive backs in Dwyte Smiley (1999) and LeVar Greene (2001).

Pete is a great addition to our staff, said Pees, who doubled as the KSUs defensive coordinator this past season. He was hired not only for his experience as a defensive coordinator, but also for the experience he will bring having been associated with a tradition-rich program like Youngstown States.

Im looking forward to joining the staff at Kent State, Rekstis said. I am very impressed with the enthusiasm of the team and the prospects for winning in the future.

Prior to Youngstown State, Rekstis served as defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn., from 1997-98 and as defensive coordinator at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., from 1994-96. In 1996, the Bears won the Freedom Football Conference title and earned a berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti from 1991-92.

Rekstis, 35, was a four-year starter at free safety at Youngstown State from 1987-90, where he played for current Ohio State University head coach Jim Tressel and helped the Penguins to a record of 32-16. As a senior co-captain in 1990, Rekstis led the Penguins to a perfect 11-0 regular season and a trip to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.

A native of Cleveland (Bay Village High School), Rekstis graduated from Youngstown State in 1991 with a bachelors degree in history. He and his wife Gina have three daughters, twins Jessica and Sara, and Natalie.

Kent State won two of its last three games this past season to finish with a 5-7 overall record and a 4-4 mark in the Mid-American Conference, good for fourth place in the East Division. The Golden Flashes will return 17 starters nine on defense and eight on offense next season.

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