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Former Mooney & YSU product D'Alesio ready for second straight Super Bowl

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Cardinal Mooney & Youngstown State product Donald D'Alesio is set for his second straight Super Bowl as the Kansas City Chiefs safeties coach.

"We all knew what we had and the main point was focusing week in and week out and getting better and eventually everything clicked and here we are," said D'Alesio from the teams Las Vegas hotel .

The Chiefs had to win two playoff games on the road to make their way to Las Vegas. 'To win a football game in the NFL is hard and to win on the road is even harder," said D'Alesio adding the wins over Buffalo & Baltimore in those atmosphere's showed a lot about the Chiefs.

Inside Allegiant Stadium, D'Alesio will be on one sideline and the DeBartolo - York family on the other side.

"I'm younger than Jed (York), but I met him last year when we played in San Francisco during the regular season," said D'Alesio.

"Just hearing about the York family and the impact they've had on Cardinal Mooney & Youngstown State, it'll be exciting that we're well represented with the Mooney family in the Super Bowl."

His love for football started at a very young age and he credits many.

"Ken Kollar was my first little league coach and taught me the game the right way. Then Michael Zordich, who I have the utmost respect for and Coach (PJ) Fecko, Chris Amill and Ron Stoops and then going onto play for Eric Wolford at YSU."

He says he owes a lot to former YSU head coach Bo Pelini who gave him his first shot as a a head coach.

D'Alesio says his father also played a huge role as a basketball coach showing him the the right way to interact and treat players.

As he waits for Sunday's game, D'Alesio received many calls from friends in the Mahoning Valley and  the one question that he's always asked, "Have you met Taylor Swift?"

'I have not met here, but I've seen her," chuckled D'Alesio. "She's been great for the team and for the Kansas City community."

The 49ers & Chiefs play Sunday night at 6:30 pm from Allegiant Stadium.

 


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