The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Kent State: a football coaching history

Regional Program VI#138 of 138–
See Kent State’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Don James
Peaked at National Program III
Built by
Don James
Regional Program II → National Program III (+7.2)
The fall
Ron Blackledge
Regional Program I → Regional Program III (−9.7)
Right now
Mark Carney
in year 2 — too new to place in Kent State's history

Stature & coaches, 1962–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)StrangJamesCorrigallPeesMartinHaynesLewis197019902010

Every coach

2025–now
Mark Carneyshort tenure
5–7
2023–2024
Kenni Burnsshort tenure
1–23
2018–2022
Sean Lewiscaretaker
Sean Lewis held Kent State at Regional Program V for 5 seasons.
Regional Program V
24–31
2013–2017
Paul Haynescaretaker
Paul Haynes held Kent State at Regional Program IV for 5 seasons.
Regional Program IV
14–45
2011–2012
Darrell Hazellshort tenure
16–10
2004–2010
Doug Martincaretaker
Doug Martin moved Kent State from Regional Program VI to Regional Program V in 7 seasons.
Regional Program V
29–53
1998–2003
Dean Peescaretaker
Dean Pees slid Kent State from Regional Program VI to Regional Program V in 6 seasons.
Regional Program V
17–51
1994–1997
Jim Corrigallcaretaker
Jim Corrigall moved Kent State from Regional Program V to Regional Program VI in 4 seasons.
Regional Program VI
8–35
1991–1993
Pete Cordellicaretaker
Pete Cordelli held Kent State at Regional Program V for 3 seasons.
Regional Program V
3–30
1988–1990
Dick Crumcaretaker
Dick Crum held Kent State at Regional Program V for 3 seasons.
Regional Program V
7–26
1986–1987
Glen Masonshort tenure
12–10
1983–1985
Dick Scesniakcaretaker
Dick Scesniak held Kent State at Regional Program IV for 3 seasons.
Regional Program IV
8–25
1981–1982
Ed Chlebekshort tenure
4–18
1978–1980
Ron Blackledgecaretaker
Ron Blackledge held Kent State at Regional Program I for 3 seasons.
−9.7
8–25
1975–1977
Dennis Fitzgeraldcaretaker
Dennis Fitzgerald held Kent State at National Program III for 3 seasons.
National Program III
18–16
1971–1974
Don Jamescaretaker
Don James moved Kent State from Regional Program II to National Program III in 4 seasons.
National Program III
25–19
1968–1970
Dave Puddingtoncaretaker
Dave Puddington held Kent State at Regional Program I for 3 seasons.
Regional Program I
9–21
1964–1967
Leo Strangcaretaker
Leo Strang moved Kent State from Regional Program II to Regional Program I in 4 seasons.
Regional Program I
17–20
1962–1963
Trevor Reesshort tenure
6–11