Glum doesn't begin to explain the look on Jon Heacock's face at the press conference following Youngstown State's 17-3 loss to South Dakota State University.

Dejected might come close, but it's hard to find words to describe the demeanor of a guy whose team is struggling mightily after entering the year with national-championship expectations. What's probably making this even harder for Heacock is that he's in the last year of his contract.

The man who took YSU to a national semifinal just three years ago is in a very precarious situation after the Penguins fell to 4-4 and dropped out of the playoff race after Saturday's homecoming loss. His words and his appearance are reminiscent of how he acted four or five years ago, before he was given a four-year extension.

Often times he appeared confused and befuddled after losses (and sometimes wins, too), but that seemed to disappear after receiving a vote of confidence from YSU athletic director Ron Strollo, who gave his former coach the extension. Heacock emitted confidence and seemed ever so sure of himself and his team the past few years, but when the season began to slip away last year and players started to quit, the bewildered look returned.

The next three games are fairly meaningless to the Penguins, who are certainly out of the playoff picture and can no longer contend for a title in the Missouri Valley Conference. Those games certainly won't be insignificant for Heacock. Popular belief is that the nine-year coach is done regardless of how he finishes the year, but if the Penguins were to string together three wins and show promise, there's a chance Heacock could return.

The most interesting area to watch is at quarterback, where senior Brandon Summers is beginning to unravel. He possesses a ton of ability - a strong arm, quick feet and ideal size - but his decision-making has been very poor and erratic during his two years as QB. When asked whether he has thought about pulling Summers for Hubbard native and backup Marc Kanetsky, this is what Heacock said: ''You're just trying to ride seniors as long as you can ride them. They deserve the opportunity to go down with them or win with them. That's why they're seniors. It's going to be an awful tough decision for me to take a senior out.''

Heacock has always been extremely loyal to his seniors, and rightfully so, but this is a situation where he might need to take a different approach. While Summers has shown flashes of greatness, there have been more downs than ups for him.

Kanetsky is the future. He's a cerebral player who could give YSU a better opportunity to win. He may not have the athletic ability or arm strength of Summers, but he was always praised for his smarts and game management when at Hubbard High School. Those are attributes YSU desperately needs. Kanetsky, a 6-foot, 190-pound true sophomore, doesn't strike fear into opponents like Summers, but he also probably doesn't throw the ball to the opposing team as much either.

Now in his ninth year as YSU's coach, Heacock has made the postseason once, in 2006. He owns a 58-43 overall record (74 percent winning percentage), but the Penguins have been wildly inconsistent during his tenure. His job is hanging in the balance, and making the switch to Kanetsky would not hurt his case to stay on as coach. It's not a sign of giving up for YSU - it's more of an indication the Penguins are moving forward. Summers had his chance, and, unfortunately, it didn't work out. Now it's time to give Kanetsky, a preferred walk-on, a shot. If Heacock doesn't, YSU still may choose to move forward - but it may be without Heacock.

jsimon@tribtoday.com