Kent State has been wandering the football desert for the last five years after its MAC Championship appearance under Darrell Hazell in 2012.
Since Hazell’s departure, the Golden Flashes have accumulated a 12-35 record under former defensive coordinator Paul Haynes, a KSU alum. It’s been a trial for Haynes, who has had to suffer countless personnel changes, untimely injuries and a general lack of recruiting success.
2016 was a testament to the challenges the program faced. Before the season, it was announced Antwan Dixon was out for the season with a blood disorder.
Mylik Mitchell, the team’s starting QB, was injured against Alabama and lost for the year.