University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Fall Camp Feature: Tony Pecoraro
8/15/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The coaching business is a circuitous one in so many ways. Southern Miss defensive coordinator Tony Pecoraro knows it well and has treasured every bit of it.
"Every year I've been a coach, there's always been someone who has influenced my life a little more," he said.
Pecoraro is in his second year on the Golden Eagle staff, and there is plenty more to build on what was already a highly-successful season. Southern Miss finished second nationally in defensive third-down conversions (24 percent) and No. 15 in total defense (324.8 ypg), among many other quality measures. Familiarity amongst the coaching staff has served as a major weapon for their efforts, too.
"Having the ability to work for Coach Hopson has been unbelievable," Pecoraro said. "Even now, I work with Tim Billings and Dan Disch who have been defensive coordinators before. I think I've just gotten so many people around me in the game that I can rely on, and that's part of the business: to continually grow."
Pecoraro, a Florida State grad and member of the staff in his postgrad years in multiple positions, also cites veteran and celebrated coaches Bobby Bowden, Mickey Andrews and Chuck Amato as key contributors to his personal success.
Pecoraro came to Southern Miss following two highly successful tenures at North Alabama and Alcorn State, the latter of which coming under Hopson at the helm. He and the rest of the Golden Eagle staff came to Hattiesburg in February 2016, certainly on the later side of most coaching moves, and Pecoraro says that alone will be a difference-maker for the 2017 defensive unit.
"We now get a lot more time with [the players]," he said. "They understand not just what we are doing, but why we are doing it. Knowledge of the playbook has been huge, and it makes you play faster when you know what you are doing. I think we are a faster team not just physically, but mentally too because of the playbook."
It has been a whirlwind adventure for Pecoraro in his ascent to Southern Miss. There are infinite parallels between coaching and life, and one particular mindset has stuck with him through it all.
"You never know it all, and when you think you do, you're in trouble. Make sure you rely on other people to give you advice, but it's your choice to listen to it."
Season tickets, flex plans, and group tickets for the 2017 Golden Eagle home season are still available and can be purchased by going online at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or by visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office, weekdays, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Discounts are available for Southern Miss faculty and staff, senior citizens, military personnel, and recent Southern Miss graduates. The Golden Eagles open the 2017 season at home on Saturday, Sept. 2, at 3 p.m. against SEC opponent Kentucky.
