Paul Haynes was fired as Kent State’s head coach on Nov. 22. It’s now Dec. 13 and all but two FBS head coaching jobs have been filled — one of them being Kent State. So, what’s going on?

Well, before explaining this year’s search, we remind you that Kent State AD Joel Nielsen shopped the job to a number of coaches last year; but ultimately could not find any takers and brought Paul Haynes back for another season. So, heading into this offseason surely he had someone ready to go, right?

Well, by all indications, the answer to that is yes. This search unquestionably was focused on South Dakota head coach Bob Nielson. The 58-year-old has been the head coach at six schools since 1989, including a very successful run at Division II Minnesota Duluth, and took the Coyotes to the FCS playoffs this season after a 4-7 debut. Alas, sources tell FootballScoop Nielson turned down the opportunity to lead Kent State, and has since publicly confirmed he intends to remain at South Dakota.

Once Bob Nielson decided to stay at South Dakota, this one got weird.



Athletic director Joel Nielsen focused the search on successful FCS, Division II & III head coaches, speaking with dozens and meeting with quite a few. One source told FootballScoop, “Whether technically offered or not, at least 15 coaches have turned this one down.”

Throughout this search, sources told FootballScoop that Ed Warinner has remained the one Power 5 assistant that has shown true interest. We’re told the veteran Power 5 assistant and current Minnesota run game coordinator has the support of Nick Saban, Urban Meyer and P.J. Fleck for the job. And yet, somehow, Warinner has not been offered the job.

There has been some chatter about Mount Union head coach Vince Kehres being a candidate once his season is complete. The Purple Raiders will play for their 13th national championship against Mary Hardin-Baylor on Friday night. At this time we’re told there has not been contact (which is surprising given the number of coaches who have been contacted) but we also hear that Kehres would listen if contacted after the season.

Now, here is a curveball that we weren’t expecting when checking up on this search today. Within the last week, Nielsen interviewed Garrett Riley, the younger brother of Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley. Riley graduated from college in 2012 and recently completed his first season as an on-the-field FBS coach, working as Kansas’s quarterbacks coach. Although we understand Nielsen is interviewing another lower level head coach today, sources tell us Riley remains a candidate for the job.

With National Signing Day just a week away, it would be extremely beneficial to the Flashes to have their coach on board as soon as possible. We’ll keep you updated as the search develops.

http://footballscoop.com/news/update-kent-state/



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#MACtion

That is a graveyard. Is it 1 good year in the last 40?

Anyone ever make the Kent roadtrip?

Have to get out of this conference

They could coach themselves, like in Stripes.

Army training, sir!

Talk about a program is disarray! Considering some many coaches are passing on the job it does not look like Kent St. is going to get better any time soon. That's a shame for the players there and i hurts our conference.

(12-14-2017 12:20 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  Anyone ever make the Kent roadtrip?

Yes. Nice area. Campus is real nice too. I believe their ad used to work for niu in the groth era.

Kent and NIU played for a MACC in Detroit not all that long ago.

NIU was once a MAC graveyard itself.

(12-14-2017 06:37 PM)Dtownboys Wrote:  

(12-14-2017 12:20 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  Anyone ever make the Kent roadtrip?

Yes. Nice area. Campus is real nice too. I believe their ad used to work for niu in the groth era.

Yes, parked real close 20 minutes before game time.

(12-14-2017 07:45 PM)nucyberdawg Wrote:  Kent and NIU played for a MACC in Detroit not all that long ago.

NIU was once a MAC graveyard itself.

NIU made a commitment to sports which I don't see KSU doing.

I wonder if they even reached out to Hazell again

(12-14-2017 09:50 PM)HuskiePride12 Wrote:  I wonder if they even reached out to Hazell again

If that happens then niu should reach out to kill!

No, MD2 and buddies think Jerry Kill is the one of the worst coaches in college football history; almost as bad as Rod Cary.

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(12-14-2017 11:26 PM)sarasotahuskie Wrote:  No, MD2 and buddies think Jerry Kill is the one of the worst coaches in college football history; almost as bad as Rod Cary.

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Who is this MD2 you speak of?

(12-14-2017 08:58 PM)huskie1stdown Wrote:  NIU made a commitment to sports which I don't see KSU doing.

Kent has made a commitment to Men's Basketball, Baseball, and some of their underwear ("Olympic") sports at the expense - literally - of Football.

That's why they play three blood money games every fall whereas most MAC schools only play two.

Go to their csnbbs board, there are as many threads about Golf as Football.

(12-15-2017 10:57 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  

(12-14-2017 08:58 PM)huskie1stdown Wrote:  NIU made a commitment to sports which I don't see KSU doing.

Kent has made a commitment to Men's Basketball, Baseball, and some of their underwear ("Olympic") sports at the expense - literally - of Football.

That's why they play three blood money games every fall whereas most MAC schools only play two.

Go to their csnbbs board, there are as many threads about Golf as Football.

They do have a good golf program though to be fair. Had their team in the NCAA tournament at Rich Harvest. You are correct that they purposely schedule the impossible money games but i can't blame them for that. Look at us next year. I think going .500 for them any season is a great year. They do have some great players that have come from that program but it's in bad shape now.

Their AD was in fact at niu as an assistant in athletics in early 90's. He was previously AD at South Dakota too so it's a surprise that the South Dakota coach didn't accept the job. That tells me that the outlook is not good there. A new coach won't want to come in and face the best sec schools every season and get their teeth kicked in.

(12-15-2017 10:57 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  

(12-14-2017 08:58 PM)huskie1stdown Wrote:  NIU made a commitment to sports which I don't see KSU doing.

Kent has made a commitment to Men's Basketball, Baseball, and some of their underwear ("Olympic") sports at the expense - literally - of Football.

That's why they play three blood money games every fall whereas most MAC schools only play two.

Go to their csnbbs board, there are as many threads about Golf as Football.

I wouldn't mind if the Rockets dumped their FCS game for some blood money.

The AD has twin daughters on the Golf team. I was a walking scorer for Kelly's group, the one playing in the NCAA Championships. His wife played golf at NIU. Talked very fondly of their time at Northern, they used to hang out at the Stadium Club. Nice family.

It’s gotta suck for the players and their recruits. Nobody wants to coach there? They have to have some successful or Alumn that want to get in the Coaching game.