Lewis was great for Kent. Turned a crappy program into a competitive one with an exciting style of play and an identity. As with most MAC hires the expectation is if they do well they will leave. I'd argue Kent has peaked under Lewis and was unlikely regardless of coaching ability to get much better. Add to that the opportunity to work with an icon in Neon Deion who is emerging as a very good HC, at a flagship university in a great college town with good resources, coming off a terrible stretch and likely to become the team to watch in the next few years, plus lots more money. c'mon now.

(12-15-2022 11:51 AM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  Hard to pass up opportunity to work with Sanders.

Especially when Sanders is bringing his kid along as QB. He wants nothing but the best for his kid and thinks Lewis directing the offense will showcase him like no other. Some people take promotions/raises but are set up for failure, not this move. Only way it ends up ugly if his kid doesn’t adjust to that level and they start blaming Lewis and his system.

Looking at Kent's records. I didn't realize how far they dropped after Darrell Hazell left. 2013 - 2017 all very, very bad.

(12-15-2022 11:58 AM)axeme Wrote:  I think Lewis saw an opportunity that was totally unique, with a chance to make a name for himself as an OC in a place that’s going to get tons of attention. Chances for advancement to a P5 HC position with success as Coach Prime’s OC are definitely possible and would not be available for any MAC HC. It’s just a special situation.

But this is the MAC board, and we live to put negative spin on situations, especially when we don’t really know what’s going on.

100% Agree. Kent St did not make an acceptable effort to hire the right coach, he was not a top assistant on the MN staff. Kent St will have some tough days ahead.

(12-16-2022 01:08 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  

(12-15-2022 11:58 AM)axeme Wrote:  I think Lewis saw an opportunity that was totally unique, with a chance to make a name for himself as an OC in a place that’s going to get tons of attention. Chances for advancement to a P5 HC position with success as Coach Prime’s OC are definitely possible and would not be available for any MAC HC. It’s just a special situation.

But this is the MAC board, and we live to put negative spin on situations, especially when we don’t really know what’s going on.

100% Agree. Kent St did not make an acceptable effort to hire the right coach, he was not a top assistant on the MN staff. Kent St will have some tough days ahead.

Being the “Associate Head Coach” on Flecks staff says otherwise. But thanks for your concern and the brilliant comment.

(12-16-2022 07:25 PM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(12-16-2022 01:08 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  

(12-15-2022 11:58 AM)axeme Wrote:  I think Lewis saw an opportunity that was totally unique, with a chance to make a name for himself as an OC in a place that’s going to get tons of attention. Chances for advancement to a P5 HC position with success as Coach Prime’s OC are definitely possible and would not be available for any MAC HC. It’s just a special situation.

But this is the MAC board, and we live to put negative spin on situations, especially when we don’t really know what’s going on.

100% Agree. Kent St did not make an acceptable effort to hire the right coach, he was not a top assistant on the MN staff. Kent St will have some tough days ahead.

Being the “Associate Head Coach” on Flecks staff says otherwise. But thanks for your concern and the brilliant comment.

He was the stated #2 man there. Is there secret information nobody else seems to have that says otherwise?

I think you'd have to go back to Dick Crum in 1988 for last time Kent State hired a football coach with previous HC experience.

It's always been a "poverty job," thus all the money games vs. P5s.

(12-17-2022 07:47 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  I think you'd have to go back to Dick Crum in 1988 for last time Kent State hired a football coach with previous HC experience.

It's always been a "poverty job," thus all the money games vs. P5s.

Hiring retreads is almost always a disaster, as was Crum. How many successful MAC head coaches were previously FBS head coaches?
Let’s see…Solich…and…?

(12-17-2022 11:39 AM)axeme Wrote:  

(12-17-2022 07:47 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  I think you'd have to go back to Dick Crum in 1988 for last time Kent State hired a football coach with previous HC experience.

It's always been a "poverty job," thus all the money games vs. P5s.

Hiring retreads is almost always a disaster, as was Crum. How many successful MAC head coaches were previously FBS head coaches?
Let’s see…Solich…and…?

Bill Mallory (Colorado) at NIU, Denny Stolz (Michigan State) at BUGS, Jim McElwain (Colorado State, Florida) at CMU.

There have been some lower-level head coaches come into the MAC and do well.

(12-17-2022 11:49 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  

(12-17-2022 11:39 AM)axeme Wrote:  

(12-17-2022 07:47 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  I think you'd have to go back to Dick Crum in 1988 for last time Kent State hired a football coach with previous HC experience.

It's always been a "poverty job," thus all the money games vs. P5s.

Hiring retreads is almost always a disaster, as was Crum. How many successful MAC head coaches were previously FBS head coaches?
Let’s see…Solich…and…?

Bill Mallory (Colorado) at NIU, Denny Stolz (Michigan State) at BUGS, Jim McElwain (Colorado State, Florida) at CMU.

There have been some lower-level head coaches come into the MAC and do well.

I was thinking more in the FBS era this century. Things have changed quite a bit in CFB. I don’t see MAC programs having success going the retread route, except Solich. Almost all go the rising assistant route or FCS coach like KSU.

(12-17-2022 07:47 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  I think you'd have to go back to Dick Crum in 1988 for last time Kent State hired a football coach with previous HC experience.

It's always been a "poverty job," thus all the money games vs. P5s.

“The only thing worse than jock itch is Dick Crum”…

(12-16-2022 07:25 PM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(12-16-2022 01:08 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  

(12-15-2022 11:58 AM)axeme Wrote:  I think Lewis saw an opportunity that was totally unique, with a chance to make a name for himself as an OC in a place that’s going to get tons of attention. Chances for advancement to a P5 HC position with success as Coach Prime’s OC are definitely possible and would not be available for any MAC HC. It’s just a special situation.

But this is the MAC board, and we live to put negative spin on situations, especially when we don’t really know what’s going on.

100% Agree. Kent St did not make an acceptable effort to hire the right coach, he was not a top assistant on the MN staff. Kent St will have some tough days ahead.

Being the “Associate Head Coach” on Flecks staff says otherwise. But thanks for your concern and the brilliant comment.

Hope I'm wrong.....time tells the tale. Lewis IMO is special and you lost a good one. He is a young coach with a super bright future. Good luck with the new guy...