| Doug Martin Named Head Football CoachKent State University Athletic Director Laing Kennedy recently named Doug Martin, head football coach, becoming the 19th head coach in the 81 years of the
“I am very pleased to name Doug as our new head football coach,” Kennedy said. “Input from current players was very important in my decision. The respect they have for him as a person and as a coach, plus my own observations, have proven that Doug Martin is very impressive. He is an individual of high quality and high character, and I am confident in his abilities to lead our football program.” Martin joined the Kent State staff in January 2003 as offensive coordinator. “I was involved in Doug’s hire as offensive coordinator a year ago,” Kennedy said. “He had a head-coaching aura about him and Dean [Pees] even said to me ‘This guy is going to be a great head coach someday’ during Doug’s interview last year.” After just one year on the staff, Martin made an instant impact on the Golden Flashes’ offense. In its first season under Martin’s system, Kent State averaged 26.8 points per game, the second-highest in the last 30 years, and scored 30-or-more points in each of the final six games and did so in a school-record eight games overall. “I am very grateful to Mr. Kennedy and Dr. Cartwright for the opportunity they have given me first as an offensive coordinator and now as the head football coach,” Martin said. “I believe that we are on the verge of doing something very special for Kent State University with this football program.” Nearly every major offensive category from 2002 to 2003 jumped last year under Martin’s tutelage. Scoring offense increased by 10 points, touchdowns grew from 24 to 40, total offense was up by more than 40 yards per game and passing yardage increased by nearly 100 yards per game. “Doug obviously had great success with the offense last season,” Kennedy said. “Now I expect the whole team to give us something we’ve never had before. In talking with our defensive players and coaches last year, they were all so proud of the offense knowing that if they made a stop something good would happen on offense. I anticipate that feeling will filter throughout the team this year.” Martin came to Kent State following 11 seasons at East Carolina University (ECU), the last seven of which he was in charge of the offense. He was at ECU for all of Steve Logan’s tenure there, serving as the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator for two seasons (1992-93), then another two years as wide receivers coach (1994-95) before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 1996. “What impressed me most about Doug is his vision for the football program and its importance to Kent State University,” Kennedy said. “I am very confident in what I call his quiet resolve for excellence. For Doug, anything short of the very best will be unacceptable.” At East Carolina, Martin played a significant role in the development of quarterback David Garrard, who broke 28 school passing records and total offensive records from 1998-2001. In addition, Martin coached the top three receivers in ECU history. During Martin’s time at ECU, the team advanced to five bowl games: the Liberty Bowl in 1994 and ’95, the GMAC (formerly Mobile Alabama) Bowl in 1999 and 2001 and the galleryfurniture.com (now Houston) Bowl in 2000. “I’ve been impressed with the quality of Doug Martin’s character and integrity, and with the way he relates to our student-athletes on and off the field,” Kent State President Dr. Carol A. Cartwright said. “I believe Doug’s values are in line with those of the university, and that he will provide the leadership to continue moving this program in a positive direction both academically and athletically. For more information on the Kent State University football team, including schedules, visit the Web at http://dept.kent.edu/athletics/football/football.htm. - Jeff Schaefer
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