April 15, 2026, 5:50 a.m. ET
Mark Carney received Kent State University football’s full-time head coaching job in October, and now he has a strong public endorsement from Golden Flashes and Browns legend Josh Cribbs.
“What he has been able to do in just a short period of time, A-plus,” Cribbs said in a video posted to his social media accounts on April 14.
In March 2025, Cribbs made it known he had a desire to coach Kent State after former Golden Flashes coach Kenni Burns had been placed on administrative leave. In April 2025, KSU fired Burns and promoted Carney from offensive coordinator to interim coach. Born in Cleveland and raised in Lakewood, Carney capitalized on the opportunity.
With Kent State 3-5, including 2-2 in the Mid-American Conference, KSU removed the interim tag from Carney and signed him through the 2029 season. The Golden Flashes finished the 2025 season 5-7, 4-4 in the MAC. They had gone a combined 1-23 under Burns during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
In what can only be described as a classy gesture, Cribbs commended Carney for the turnaround during a visit to KSU’s Dix Stadium.
“I smile every time I’m here,” Cribbs said in the video. “Every time I hear them speak to the team, the culture of the coaches from the top down to the bottom, from the top of the roster down to the bottom, the culture is strong. I love it. So, from an alumni, former player here, made it all the way to the NFL, 1,000% approve. I’m excited for this year. Go Flashes.”
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
