Kent State Removes Interim Tag, Names Mark Carney as 24th Head Football Coach
10/30/2025 8:25:00 AM | Football
KENT, Ohio – Kent State Vice President and Director of Athletics Randale L. Richmond announced today that Mark Carney has been named the 24th head football coach of the Golden Flashes, removing the interim tag he has held since April 2025.
"Since taking over as interim head coach, Mark has instilled belief, togetherness, and a winning culture into our football program," said Richmond. "The way he's positively impacted this team, this department, this campus, and this community, he's earned the right to lead this program."Â
"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. I want to thank our University leadership team for entrusting me with this opportunity: President Todd Diacon and his staff, our athletic administrative team, specifically Randale Richmond and Greg Glaus. I'm very thankful for your direction and guidance throughout this process. I am so proud of our TEAM. What our players and staff have done over the last seven months inspires me daily. I am grateful to serve these young men and look forward to continuing to build on Kent State football's outstanding history and tradition. Flash Nation, thank you for your love and support. Your energy has impacted me, and I look forward to seeing you back at Dix soon!"
Carney has led Kent State to a 3-5 overall record and a 2-2 mark in Mid-American Conference play this season, guiding the program through a period of revival highlighted by significant milestone victories.
The Flashes' season-opening victory over Merrimack marked Kent State's first win since September 16, 2023, when they defeated Central Connecticut State 38-10. More notably, Carney's squad defeated UMass 42-6 for the program's first FBS and MAC victory since November 26, 2022, when Kent State defeated Buffalo 30-27. The Flashes also showed resilience when they came back from a 21-3 deficit to defeat Bowling Green 24-21.
"Congratulations to Coach Carney," said President Todd Diacon. "I just wanted to say that we have core values at Kent State University: kindness, respect, and purpose in all we do. And I see that in the culture that's being built here. I see kindness when I read newspaper reports about how when somebody misses an assignment or makes a mistake on the field, the other you, you as their colleagues are out there to support them. And that's that kindness that we talk about as a core value at Kent State University. The respect, I was so impressed with how you handled yourselves, the time I traveled with you to Oklahoma. And as we were boarding the bus from the hotel in Oklahoma City, the general manager of the hotel came up to me and he said, 'you know, we host visiting teams all the time in this hotel. We've never had a team that behaved so well and so respectfully as Kent State, and our cleaning staff was amazed at how clean you kept the facilities.' And that's just a sign of respect, and then its purpose. And so under unusual circumstances, Mark took over. The coaches, support staff, all of you were purposeful in building this really supportive and positive culture. And so, because of that, it was really my pleasure and Randale's pleasure to remove the interim tag. And we congratulate you, coach."
Carney joined Kent State in January 2023 as tight ends coach before being elevated to offensive coordinator ahead of the 2024 season. He orchestrated one of the nation's most explosive passing attacks in that role.
The 2024 Golden Flashes ranked 21st nationally in passing yards per completion at 13.5 yards per attempt, with quarterback Tommy Ulatowski ranking second in the nation at 16.7 yards per completion. Wide receiver Chrishon McCray emerged as one of the country's elite playmakers, ranking 20th nationally with nine touchdown receptions and 30th at 17.63 yards per reception. McCray earned second-team All-MAC honors, while Luke Floriea was named third-team All-MAC.
Before Kent State, Carney spent four seasons at Charlotte, including three as offensive coordinator, where the 49ers averaged nearly 400 yards per game. In his first season, he helped Charlotte achieve a school-record seven wins and an appearance in the Bahamas Bowl.
Carney's coaching résumé includes four successful seasons as offensive coordinator at Virginia State, where the Trojans went 29-12 and captured the 2017 CIAA championship with a perfect 7-0 conference record. He has also served as offensive coordinator at Baldwin-Wallace and coached wide receivers at Bowling Green for five years, during which the Falcons appeared in three bowl games.
From 2004-08, Carney coached quarterbacks and wide receivers at Richmond, helping the Spiders reach the FCS playoffs three times, including the 2008 FCS National Championship game.
A four-year letter winner at Fordham, Carney earned All-Patriot League and honorable mention All-America honors as a quarterback before beginning his coaching career as a student assistant for the Rams in 2002-03.
The Flashes travel to Ball State to play the Cardinals on November 5, at 7 p.m. on ESPNU.
Coach Carney Introduced to the Team for the First Time
Be The Difference, Support the Football Excellence Fund
Support Coach Carney and the football program today by donating to the football excellence fund today by clicking here.Â
---
Follow Kent State Football
For complete coverage of Kent State Athletics, download the official Kent State Golden Flashes app (iOS, Android) and follow the Golden Flashes on social media on X, Instagram, and Facebook for news and updates.
