Hours after Doug Martin informed Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen of his decision to resign, the athletic department announced a nation-wide search for Kent State’s next coach. Here are five coaches who have either expressed interest in the job or are being considered by Kent State, according to the website FootballScoop.com.

Steed Lobotzke |

Wake Forest offensive coordinator

Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen worked with Lobotzke at Wake Forest. He has experience with the Mid-American Conference when he was an assistant at Ohio and has ties to Northeast Ohio, which fits Nielsen’s description of Martin’s successor.

While Lobotzke was a finalist for Buffalo’s vacant position last year, his offenses have not ranked higher than 58th in the nation in scoring during his eight-year tenure with the Demon Deacons. He is reportedly interested and is the leading candidate for the job.

Pete Rekstis |

Kent State defensive coordinator

Kent State’s rushing defense finished seventh in the nation this season, and Rekstis’s coaching methods won over the players. He played under Ohio State coach Jim Tressel at Ohio State and coached there from 1999-2003.

Under different circumstances, Rekstis would be first on Nielsen’s list, but Kent State’s AD is likely to select a coach from outside the program. If he does not get the job, he is likely to move on to a Bowl Championship Series school, with Ohio State a possible destination.

Chuck Martin |

Notre Dame defensive backs coach/recruiting coordinator

Martin led Grand Valley State to two NCAA National titles until he accepted a job with the Fighting Irish in January. He coached the linebacking corps at Eastern Michigan in 1998 and 1999 and declined the Eagles’ head coaching job following the 2008 season. Martin has ties to Northeast Ohio but has very little experience at the Division-I level.

Luke Fickell |

Ohio State co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach

Fickell is a Columbus native and has helped lead the nation’s second-best defense. He was a four-year starter for the Buckeyes from 1992-96 and has helped the Buckeyes secure top commitments on the defensive side of the ball. If his fellow defensive coordinator Jim Heacock leaves for a head coaching job, Fickell will likely stay in Columbus.

Andre Patterson |

UTEP defensive coordinator

Patterson’s resume makes him a long shot. In his first season as defensive coordinator, his defense ranks 87th in the nation. He has only two years of head coaching experience at Cal Poly and several stints as a defensive line in the NFL. Patterson has zero ties to the MAC or Northeast Ohio.

Contact Lance Lysowski at [email protected].