Kent State head coach Mark Carney. Nicholas McLaughlin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kent State players thrilled with huge move at head coach

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Oct 30, 2025 8:56 PM ET

The Kent State Golden Flashes have seen enough.

In April, Kent State fired Kenni Burns for violations of his contract. That included violations for how he had used his personal credit card. The Golden Flashes didn't name an official head coach before the 2025 season, but instead promoted offensive coordinator Mark Carney to serve as the interim head coach. In the meantime, there was supposed to be a national search for the next head coach in Kent, Ohio.

Kent State makes it official with Mark Carney

Ultimately, the Golden Flashes didn't have to look too far. They're only 3-5 on the season with four games to go, but they've seen enough from Carney to know that he's the guy for the job. On Thursday, it was announced that Kent State dropped the interim tag and he'll be the head coach moving forward.

"Since taking over as interim head coach, Mark has instilled belief, togetherness, and a winning culture into our football program," vice president and director of athletics Randale L. Richmond said in a statement. "The way he's positively impacted this team, this department, this campus, and this community, he's earned the right to lead this program."

Golden Flashes rejoice upon hearing the news

Here's what it looked like when the decision was announced to the team:

"I told you all at that time that we had the best damn one. We agreed, and we’re going to remove the interim tag. Welcome your new head coach for Kent State football."

Coach Carney was officially introduced to the team as the new head coach for the first time this morning.… pic.twitter.com/bSXkfhoSu9
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 30, 2025

That's a coach who clearly has won over his players. It's also worth noting that while the 3-5 record isn't lighting the world on fire, Kent State had gone 1-11 and 0-12 in the previous two seasons.

By beating UMass on Oct. 11, the Golden Flashes won their first FBS and MAC game since November 2022. Carney got this thing rolling in the right direction, and the Golden Flashes rewarded him as a result.

"Wow! What an incredible blessing to be named the next head football coach at Kent State University," said Carney. "I am humbled and honored to serve this University and our football program. The opportunity to lead a college football program in Northeast Ohio, a place that's home for me, is extremely special."

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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