Football
- Title:
- Cornerbacks Coach
Updated June 2026
Kent State head football coach Mark Carney announced the addition of Bart Tanski as the program’s new cornerbacks coach in the summer of 2025, bringing over a decade of collegiate coaching experience and a proven track record in player development and special teams success.
In Tanski’s first season with the Flashes, they finished with a 5-7 record and a five-game improvement, the second-largest turnaround in program history and the fourth-largest in the nation. In conference play, the Flashes went 4-4 for the first time since 2022. The Dark Side Defense saw improvements in third down defense, fourth down defense, first downs, interceptions, passing yards allowed, red zone defense, rushing defense, scoring defense, passing efficiency, sacks, tackles for loss, and total defense.
Tanski joined the Golden Flashes after spending seven seasons at Robert Morris University, where he served as the Colonials’ special teams coordinator and safeties coach. He also played a key role in recruiting efforts and overseeing camps and clinics.
In 2024, Tanski led RMU’s special teams to a dominant season, finishing No. 1 in the Northeast Conference and 18th nationally in net punting. The Colonials led the NEC in multiple categories, including kickoff net yards and punting average, while ranking in the Top 40 nationally in punt return defense, kickoff return average, and kickoff coverage. Under his guidance, kicker Jayson Jenkins earned Second Team All-Conference honors.
Over the past two seasons, Tanski’s special teams units have consistently ranked among the best in FCS. In 2023, RMU placed 11th nationally in kick return average and finished in the Top 25 in both blocked punts and blocked kicks. On the defensive side, the Colonials ranked 23rd in pass defense, further showcasing Tanski’s ability to develop defensive backfield talent.
Before his time at RMU, Tanski served three years on staff at Syracuse University, working with linebackers and defensive backs as a defensive graduate assistant and quality control coach. He also contributed to the Orange’s special teams units.
Tanski began his coaching career at the University of Findlay, where he held roles on both sides of the ball, including coaching wide receivers, outside linebackers, and defensive backs. His early coaching efforts helped develop All-GLIAC First Team selections and record-breaking receivers.
A native of Concord, Ohio, Tanski was named Ohio’s Mr. Football in 2007 after leading Mentor High School to back-to-back state championship game appearances. He played quarterback and wide receiver at Bowling Green, eventually earning a scholarship and serving as team co-captain in 2012.
Tanski holds a Bachelor of Science in engineering technology from Bowling Green, a Master of Business Administration from Findlay, and a master’s degree in instructional design from Syracuse. Tanski and his wife, Taylor, have two daughters, Quinn and Zoe.
