Although I love Kent State with all my heart, I realize many potential recruits may not see my alma mater the way I do. To be honest, I believe you have to live the Kent State experience to fully understand it. That is the advantage that Coach Haynes has in recruiting players. He understands what it means to be a Flash because he was one himself. As a skinny walk-on some 30 years ago, he turned a walk-on opportunity into a four-year career at Kent State, serving as a team co-captain his senior year. Twice he led the team in tackles and once in interceptions. His 440 tackles is seventh most in MAC history, and twice he was named second team All-MAC as a defensive back.
Haynes knows what it's like to be a blue-collar player who is overlooked by college recruiters because he was one himself. That is why he relates to blue-collar players and knows what it takes to be the best that you can be. As a 168-pound defensive back in 1987-91, he outperformed players who were bigger and faster but did not have his work ethic and desire to excel.
When he is selling his philosophy of recruiting blue-collar players who display strong character and work ethic, potential recruits can trust him. But going up against other MAC coaches and selling Kent State University is not an easy task. Take a look at the videos below to see what Kent State has to compete against in the recruiting wars.
Ohio University
University of Akron
Miami University
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK5G21TCCkA
University of Toledo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNli2gSnvTM
Bowling Green State University
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBGHOcTcLcs
Although Dix Stadium and Field House are better than they once were, rival stadiums in the MAC have much better aesthetics. And even though I admit Ohio University's claim of having the most beautiful campus on Earth maybe a bit hyperbolic, it along with Miami, has a campus that most schools would envy.
So if you think another coach can come to Kent and out recruit Ohio, Miami, Toledo, Bowling Green, and Akron, you're delusional. Unless Kent State is willing to dramatically increase it's football budget, KSU's best chance of competing against its MAC rivals is extending Coach Hayne's contract. I understand it and other MAC coaches understand it. What's sad is so many people in the Kent State community don't understand it, which explains the history of Kent State football.
“The players don’t look poorly coached on tape. The problems go deeper than changing a coaching staff, which will probably happen.”
-- An opposing MAC assistant coach
Haynes knows what it's like to be a blue-collar player who is overlooked by college recruiters because he was one himself. That is why he relates to blue-collar players and knows what it takes to be the best that you can be. As a 168-pound defensive back in 1987-91, he outperformed players who were bigger and faster but did not have his work ethic and desire to excel.
When he is selling his philosophy of recruiting blue-collar players who display strong character and work ethic, potential recruits can trust him. But going up against other MAC coaches and selling Kent State University is not an easy task. Take a look at the videos below to see what Kent State has to compete against in the recruiting wars.
Ohio University
University of Akron
Miami University
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK5G21TCCkA
University of Toledo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNli2gSnvTM
Bowling Green State University
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBGHOcTcLcs
Although Dix Stadium and Field House are better than they once were, rival stadiums in the MAC have much better aesthetics. And even though I admit Ohio University's claim of having the most beautiful campus on Earth maybe a bit hyperbolic, it along with Miami, has a campus that most schools would envy.
So if you think another coach can come to Kent and out recruit Ohio, Miami, Toledo, Bowling Green, and Akron, you're delusional. Unless Kent State is willing to dramatically increase it's football budget, KSU's best chance of competing against its MAC rivals is extending Coach Hayne's contract. I understand it and other MAC coaches understand it. What's sad is so many people in the Kent State community don't understand it, which explains the history of Kent State football.
“The players don’t look poorly coached on tape. The problems go deeper than changing a coaching staff, which will probably happen.”
-- An opposing MAC assistant coach
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