Kent State becomes first program of 2025 coaching carousel to fill HC opening
By Jacob Moss
Published:
The first college football opening of the 2025 college football carousel is officially off the board, as the Kent State Golden Flashes have officially found and hired the man who will be their next head coach.
According to ESPN insider Pete Thamel, the Golden Flashes have officially promoted current interim head coach Mark Carney to the full-time role following the team’s 3-5 start under his leadership so far this season.
Carney, who served as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2024, entered the 2025 campaign as the team’s interim head coach after former head coach Kenni Burns was placed on administrative leave and ultimately fired back in March for multiple violations.
After winning just one game over the previous 2 seasons combined, the Golden Flashes have picked up 3 victories so far in 2025 under Carney’s stewardship, and the team is also currently 2-2 in MAC play.
Carney has been around the Group of 5 coaching circuit for a while as an assistant, making stops at Bowling Green and Charlotte before landing with Kent State, and now he has his first official head coaching gig of his 20+ year coaching career.
If they can pull out at least 3 more wins, he will have also guided Kent State to its first Bowl Game since the 2019 season.
