non-conference schedules announced

Kent State athletic director Laing Kennedy held a meeting with members of the local media today to announce the athletic department’s support of football coach Doug Martin, who has coached the Flashes to a 2-7 record so far this season.

Kennedy said the retaining of Martin as football coach represented the best chance at building a winning program.

“Of course we’re disappointed (at) where we are, but our best chance for success is to continue supporting Doug as our head coach,” Kennedy said.

Martin has compiled a record of 17-38 since taking over for Dean Peas in 2004 after serving as the Flashes’ offensive coordinator. He recorded his most successful season two years ago with six wins in 2006, but the Flashes have won only five games in the last two seasons.

Kennedy said one of the main reasons he called the meeting was to assure potential recruits the coaching situation at Kent State is stable.

“I just don’t want other schools to say ‘Well, (you) don’t know what Kent State’s going to do,'” Kennedy said. “You now know what Kent State’s going to do. We’re committed to fulfilling our contract with Doug.”

Despite two losing seasons after a 6-6 record in 2006, Martin said the team is improving but just needs to shake the program’s losing tradition.

“Kent State basketball did that years ago,” Martin said. “It wasn’t always a great program but at some point it started. That’s what you’ve got to hit on, and it has been a really frustrating year for the coaches because talent-wise for the first year, we’re there.”

The Kent State athletic department also released the out-of-conference football schedule for the next two seasons today.

The schedule includes trips to Boston for the next two years for rematches with Boston College, who beat the Flashes 21-0 to open this season.

Contact sports reporter Thomas Gallick at [email protected]

2009

Sept. 5 COASTAL CAROLINA (First Meeting)

Sept. 12 at Boston College (Boston College leads, 1-0)

Sept. 19 IOWA STATE (Iowa State leads, 5-1)

Oct. 3 at Baylor (First Meeting)

2010

Sept. 4 MURRAY STATE (First Meeting)

Sept. 18 at Penn State (Penn State leads, 2-0)

Sept. 25 at Boston College (Boston College leads, 1-0)

Nov. 13 ARMY (Army leads, 1-0)