March 14, 2000

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- John Klacik, the offensive coordinator at Youngstown State for the past six years, has been named assistant football coach at Wake Forest, Head Coach Jim Caldwell announced today. In addition, offensive line coach Eddie Williamson has been named the program's offensive coordinator.

Klacik will coach the Demon Deacon quarterbacks, while seventh-year assistant coach Jamie Barresi will take over the WFU wide receivers after five years as quarterbacks coach. Barresi was also the Deacons' receivers coach in 1993 and 1994. Klacik's hiring fills the vacancy on the WFU staff created by the departure of receivers coach Gerald Carr earlier this month.

"John Klacik is an excellent addition to our staff," Caldwell said. "Youngstown State has experienced a great deal of success at the national level in recent years, due in large part to John's work with their offense. He is a bright young offensive mind who will bring a wealth of knowledge to our program."

Klacik has been a member of the Youngstown State coaching staff for 11 seasons, serving the past six as offensive coordinator. During his tenure at YSU, the Penguins won four NCAA Division I-AA national titles, in 1991, 93, 94 and 97. In his six seasons as offensive coordinator, YSU posted a combined record of 56-21-1 and won two national championships, averaging 189.3 rushing yards per game and scoring over 30 points 18 times. Last season, the Penguins finished 12-3 overall and finished as national runners-up, falling to Georgia Southern in the I-AA title game. Klacik's 1999 offense featured a balanced attack that averaged 198.8 yards on the ground and 181.5 through the air.

Klacik is a 1988 graduate of Lock Haven University, where he was a standout wide receiver. He joined the Youngstown State coaching staff upon graduation, serving as graduate assistant strength & conditioning coach until 1990. He served as recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach from 1990-92, then became YSU's wide receivers/quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator from 1992-94. Klacik and his wife, Amy, have two daughters, Abigail (4) and Hannah (1).

Williamson was hired as the Deacs' offensive line coach in January to replace George Belu, who left to take a position as the offensive line coach at Ohio State. Head Coach Jim Caldwell served as the Deacs' offensive coordinator last fall.