Dec 4, 2006, 23:15 GMT
Kent, Ohio - Kent State has signed head football coach Doug Martin to a four-year contract, keeping him with the University through the 2010 season.
After spending 11 seasons (1992-2002) as an assistant coach at East Carolina, Martin came to Kent State as offensive coordinator in 2003. He took over as head coach in March 2004 and has a record of 12-22 with the Golden Flashes.
'I am very pleased to move forward with Doug as our head football coach,' Director of Athletics Laing Kennedy said. 'This season, we have met or exceeded all of our goals going in, from attendance to success on the field, and the football program has far exceeded our academic and citizenship goals.
'Coach Martin represents the integrity, character and high values that truly makes him the coach that will continue to lead us forward,' Kennedy added.
Martin turned things around one year after the team finished the 2005 season 1-10, guiding Kent State to a 6-6 record in the 2006 season. They had a five- game win streak in September and October, bolting the team into contention in the MAC before they lost four of five the rest of the way. The win increase over the previous year was a record bested only by Arkansas, Rice and Wake Forest, teams which all improved by six wins.
'I am very pleased with the progress we are making with our football program,' Kent State University President Dr. Lester A. Lefton said. 'The extension on Doug Martin's contract is an expression of our confidence in Coach Martin and the future of Kent State football.'
The Golden Flashes went 5-6 in Martin's first season as head coach.
The 1-10 mark followed before things began to turn around. The second place finish in the MAC East this fall was the highest since the conference started divisional play in 1997, and marked only the seventh time in Kent State's 56- year history in the MAC the team posted five wins in league play.
'I'm really thrilled with where our program is right now and the support of the administration,' Martin said. 'We've brought the program to the top of the MAC East Division and we plan on keeping it there.
'Mr. Kennedy and Dr. Lefton have made a great commitment to our program,' he added. 'I look forward to an even brighter future at Kent State and I feel there is a tremendous opportunity for success with this commitment made by the University administration.'
Martin's new contract has an automatic rollover of one year if the Golden Flashes finish with a .625 winning percentage in the MAC or finish in the top two in the MAC East Division.
© 2006 The Sports Network
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