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(12-17-2017 09:57 AM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  Kent State should be considered a pretty good job IMO:
+State of Ohio is a hotbed
+Low expectations
+Play in the weaker of the two divisions
+Other coaches have been able to find success (Martin, Hazel)
+Produced plenty of recent NFL talent, some relative history

Seems like a good opportunity for the right person.

Martin was 29-53 and never had a winning season at Kent.
Hazel was there for 2 years with one winning year before jumping to Purdue.

Low expectations and easy division might be enticing to some coaches, but there are a lot of negatives as well.

- Zero admin support, probably would be lowest paid coach in the MAC
- Zero fan support.
- Poor facilities. Some of the worst in the MAC. Ugly, D2-level stadium.
- Yes, Ohio has a lot of football talent. But they would have to compete with 7 other FBS programs in the state for that talent, not to mention other regional FBS schools: 5 in Michigan, 4 in Indiana, 3 in Kentucky, 3 in Pennsylvania. What does Kent have to offer that those other mostly superior programs do not?

It's clear they are they are the bottom of the MAC currently and have never been great, but a turnaround is not impossible. They would need to commit in a way that Kent State never has. It could all start with a great hire at the head coach. It doesn't seem that's going to happen with this hire but it's not impossible.

As to Colin's last point, the only thing they could offer that superior programs do not is playing time. Take chances with JUCO players. Akron's model is probably not a plan to be a perennial winner but it should keep them from being a perpetual bottom dweller.

If there is total apathy in the athletic department, then they should consider a drop to FCS.

Kent State made a commitment to Men's Basketball several years ago.

They play three guarantee games every year in Football, and yet six of their assistants were among the ten lowest paid in MAC, and Football has no indoor practice facility (their Field House does have a turf field inside the track).

Their history contributes to the difficulty of recruiting there.

Also the stadium is two miles or so from campus which hurts student attendance.

Sean Lewis (Syracuse Co-OC) is apparently Flashes' new HC.

(12-18-2017 02:43 PM)MajorHoople Wrote:  Sean Lewis (Syracuse Co-OC) is apparently Flashes' new HC.

Thanks for the updates.

I hope Lewis makes KSU competitive again.

(12-18-2017 02:43 PM)MajorHoople Wrote:  Sean Lewis (Syracuse Co-OC) is apparently Flashes' new HC.

34 years old and never been a HC. Offensive-minded guy. Ties to the Midwest. Is Kent trying to go the Fleck route?

We'll see how it goes.

Working with Babers I'm sure he picked up on some things offensively.