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Kennedy backs coach, says he is confident Flashes on right track
By Stephanie Storm
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Saturday, Nov 08, 2008
KENT: About an hour after Kent State lost to the University of Akron in double overtime Oct. 4 at Dix Stadium, Athletic Director Laing Kennedy sat alone in a meeting room in the bowels of the empty stadium. He stared into space, a scowl on his face.
He had just listened to football coach Doug Martin explain to the media how a rough day in the kicking game cost his team a victory against its archrival. As Martin had spoken, Kennedy was trying to figure out what more he could do to bring success to the program.
A true fan of all KSU sports, Kennedy typically attends two or three football practices a week. He sees first-hand how the players listen intently to instruction and work hard. The intense preparation by the coaching staff and players was evident.
He wondered why the Golden Flashes, now 3-6, couldn't consistently carry over that effort to Saturdays.
On Friday morning, Kennedy felt it necessary to invite members of the local media to KSU for an informal sit-down to talk about the football team — and more important, Martin's job status.
''I wanted to get together to confirm that we will support football coach Doug Martin at Kent State,'' Kennedy said. ''Doug is under contract, and it is certainly our desire to fulfill that commitment. . . . Of course we're disappointed where we are, but our best chance for success is to continue supporting Doug as our football coach.''
Kennedy felt it was necessary to clear the air because he has heard rumors put out by competing Mid-American Conference schools that Martin might be fired at the end of the season, and thus, not be around when potential recruits would report to campus.
''We have some outstanding commitments for our incoming class, and we want to keep that going,'' Kennedy said. ''I'm a firm believer that success comes from stability, and we're building that stability in our program. Our support for coach Martin is solid.''
Kennedy's support for a team that hasn't been a consistent winner since the 1970s is just as solid. He has brought in former KSU coaches to give opinions on ways to make improvements and has implemented many of their recommendations.
Between tweaking the way the schedule is made, altering the way the team does strength training, considering a different nutritional approach and pouring money into Dix Stadium improvements, Kennedy has proven his support for the program.
So has Martin, who is in his fifth season as coach and sixth overall since arriving in 2003 as the offensive coordinator from East Carolina University.
''I am committed to this football team,'' Martin said. ''I will give it my last drop of blood.''
Kennedy and Martin believe the final key to the Flashes being successful comes down to the players taking responsibility, showing up on game days and making plays.
To them, that means no more moping about the school's lack of tradition. No more expecting something bad will happen, just because it is Kent State. No more beating themselves.
''The last two years, our staff has really been cognizant of what type of programs these young men are coming from,'' Martin said. ''We want to get them from winning high school football programs so that we're getting kids who are used to winning and not complacent in losing. That has really helped us.
''Our best players here are those younger-type guys. They are guys who want to come here and be a part of building up this program.
''It's been a very frustrating season for the coaches because, talent-wise, for the first time, we're there. This year, we're good enough to go down to Miami and win.''
With the Flashes idle this weekend, the remaining schedule includes mid-week games against Temple (Wednesday) and Northern Illinois (Nov. 18) the next two weeks, followed by the season finale Nov. 23 at Buffalo.
''There is still some of the season left this year, so there is reason to be optimistic and continue to look forward to improvement,'' Kennedy said.
Martin agrees.
''There's still a lot of football to be played,'' Martin said. ''With three football games to go, we could be .500 in the MAC East and finish second. To do that two of the last three years would be a great achievement for our football team. But there is a mental edge we have got to get over. Because talent-wise, I think we've caught up to a lot of people.''
Future foes
Kent State released a portion of its 2009 and 2010 schedules Friday, two seasons that feature some of football's top heavyweights.
Next season, the Golden Flashes open at home against Coastal Carolina, followed by at Boston College, Iowa State and at Baylor. In 2010, KSU kicks off the season by hosting Murray State, followed by games at Penn State and at Boston College, then home for Army.
Stephanie Storm can be reached at sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com.
KENT: About an hour after Kent State lost to the University of Akron in double overtime Oct. 4 at Dix Stadium, Athletic Director Laing Kennedy sat alone in a meeting room in the bowels of the empty stadium. He stared into space, a scowl on his face.
Get the full article here.
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Posted 02:01 PM, 11/09/2008
HAHA!!!
CANT READ, CANT WRITE, CANT KICK, CANT STATE!!!!
GO ZIPS!