06-02-2004, 02:14 PM
Most everyone is aware that Kent’s football program has struggled for many years. When you consider Kent’s location, one would wonder why the Flashes have been down for so long.
In recent memory, NE Ohio has seen national championships won at Mount Union and Youngstown State. At the high school level, Canton McKinley and St. Ignatius have won national championships in football. Canton McKinley won a USA Today championship in 1997 and Cleveland St. Ignatius won the national championship in 1993. Along with St. Ignatius and Canton McKinley, other area high school football powers include Lakewood St. Edward, Massillon Washington, and North Canton Hoover.
Because there are so many football powers located in NE Ohio, most football recruiters consider the area as a hotbed for football players. Ever since I was a boy, I remember hearing stories about the rivalry between Canton McKinley and Massillon. People in NE Ohio have always been avid football fans and still are today.
If Kent could establish a few wining seasons, I am convinced that the fans would come back to Dix. It is not like no one has ever won at Kent before. After Don James’ success here, Glen Mason was able to win his share of games before he left to revive the football program at Kansas. Had he remained at Kent, I have no doubt that Kent would have won a MAC championship or several championships during his tenure at KSU.
Certainly Kent’s short periods of success have not established a tradition of winning but that is not to say that Kent has never had great players or coaches in the program. KSU alumni, Saban, Pinkel, and Holtz, have been very successful as college head coaches. Nick Saban, arguably the best college coach in football today, got his start as an assistant coach under Don James. Saban won the national championship at LSU this year and Lou Holtz directed the University of Notre Dame to the 1988 national title. Gary Pinkel currently is now the head coach at the University of Missouri and Holtz is at the University of South Carolina. Perhaps these former alumni may not make Kent “The Cradle of Coaches
In recent memory, NE Ohio has seen national championships won at Mount Union and Youngstown State. At the high school level, Canton McKinley and St. Ignatius have won national championships in football. Canton McKinley won a USA Today championship in 1997 and Cleveland St. Ignatius won the national championship in 1993. Along with St. Ignatius and Canton McKinley, other area high school football powers include Lakewood St. Edward, Massillon Washington, and North Canton Hoover.
Because there are so many football powers located in NE Ohio, most football recruiters consider the area as a hotbed for football players. Ever since I was a boy, I remember hearing stories about the rivalry between Canton McKinley and Massillon. People in NE Ohio have always been avid football fans and still are today.
If Kent could establish a few wining seasons, I am convinced that the fans would come back to Dix. It is not like no one has ever won at Kent before. After Don James’ success here, Glen Mason was able to win his share of games before he left to revive the football program at Kansas. Had he remained at Kent, I have no doubt that Kent would have won a MAC championship or several championships during his tenure at KSU.
Certainly Kent’s short periods of success have not established a tradition of winning but that is not to say that Kent has never had great players or coaches in the program. KSU alumni, Saban, Pinkel, and Holtz, have been very successful as college head coaches. Nick Saban, arguably the best college coach in football today, got his start as an assistant coach under Don James. Saban won the national championship at LSU this year and Lou Holtz directed the University of Notre Dame to the 1988 national title. Gary Pinkel currently is now the head coach at the University of Missouri and Holtz is at the University of South Carolina. Perhaps these former alumni may not make Kent “The Cradle of Coaches