Football
- Title:
- Cornerbacks
- Email:
- hpoteat@kent.edu
Hank Poteat joined Kent Stateโs staff in February of 2015, taking over the role of cornerbacks coach.ย After spending a decade playing in the National Football League, Poteat enters his sixth year of college coaching.
In his first season with the Golden Flashes, Poteat helped sophomore Demetrius Monday in a breakthrough year. ย Monday intercepted six passes and was named to the All-MAC First Team.
During the 2013 and 2014 seasons, Poteat was a defensive graduate assistant at Pitt, working with the cornerbacks.ย The Panthers advanced to bowl games in both seasons.
A third-round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2000 NFL Draft, Poteat played for five NFL teams over 10 seasons. ย He earned a Super Bowl ring as a member of the 2004 New England Patriots, while former Kent State Head Coach Dean Pees was on staff.
As a rookie, Poteat had a 53-yard punt return for a touchdown that sparked a 24-3 Steelersโ win over Washington in the final game played in Three Rivers Stadium. He was teammates with former Golden Flashes James Harrison, Abe Elam and Josh Cribbs before retiring from the NFL after the 2009 season.
Poteat began his coaching career working with the defensive backs at Kentucky Christian University for two seasons. He helped the Knights to a 7-4 finish in 2012.
A four-year letterwinner at Pitt (1996-99), Poteat was a cornerback and kick returner.ย He led Pitt in interceptions in 1998 and 1999, earning All-Big East First Team honors in back-to-back seasons.ย As a junior, he led the Big East and ranked fourth nationally with six interceptions. Poteat also holds Pitt records for both kick return yards in a season (764 in 1998) and a career (2,010).
Born in Philadelphia, Poteat spent his early childhood there before moving to Harrisburg. He was a three-sport standout at Harrisburg High, starring in football, basketball and track & field.
Poteat earned his bachelor's degree in social sciences from Pitt in 2011. He and his wife Jasmine have two daughters, Ariana and Sierra, and a son, Tre.
