- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 400,062
- Reaction score
- 43
Could a Kent State Golden Flashes football legend return to campus to right a ship gone adrift?
With current Golden Flashes coach Kenni being placed on administrative leave, Josh Cribbs, former Kent quarterback and decorated NFL return man and wide receiver could be a logical choice if the school looks for a new coach. The former Browns standout from 2005-12 would bring some immediate cachet to the program.
Cribbs, however, said in a Sunday interview on 923 the Fan (WKRK, 92.3 FM), with Daryl Ruiter and Nick Pedone, that he wasn’t campaigning for a job that wasn’t open yet. But is he interested? Absolutely.
“Of course, you know even in light of everything that's going on, I don't think it's a secret,” he said. “You know that I shared my interest in becoming the next head football coach at Kent State University. You know, it's my alma mater… I'm just excited for a possible opportunity.”
Cribbs still holds a number of records from his days as the Golden Flashes’ quarterback. He is the all-time total offense leader with 10,839 yards. He holds the record for rushing touchdowns and touchdowns scored with 38 and 42, respectively. He holds the record for completions (616), pass attempts (1,123), passing yardage (7,169) and points scored with 246.
Those numbers put the Washington D.C. native on the Browns' radar and they signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He went on to set 11 Browns team records and to tie an NFL record for most career kickoff return touchdowns at eight, earning him a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s. In all, he played 10 NFL seasons with stops in Oakland, Indianapolis and with the New York Jets.
Kent is where he met and married his wife, Maria, and grew up, Cribbs said. Therefore, it would seem like a no-brainer that he would want to return, even though he’s enjoyed some success in local broadcasting. And while some might suspect that he could be underqualified for the job, he does have some coaching experience, having served as a special teams intern with the Browns and special teams coach for the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
But the reality is college football has changed significantly in the era of the transfer portal and NIL (name, image and likeness). Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders has shown that public relations may be as important as coaching.
That may be what Kent State needs to revitalize the program. Burns, who replaced the successful Sean Lewis (who left to join Sanders in Colorado, ironically, and has since left to helm San Diego State's program), has gone 1-23 in his first two seasons and mystery currently surrounds his status.
“The college landscape has significantly changed and we all know this, you know, to try to stay competitive even in the [Mid-American Conference]. The MAC is tremendously competitive now and me having just a lot of resources and to be able to …I’m the type of person to stay ready for an opportunity.
“To be ready for the opportunity and not have it rather than have the opportunity and not be prepared, he said “So I’m ready with NIL money. I’m ready with the resources. I have NFL coaches, college coaches at my disposal to not possibly join the staff, but to assist in making Kent State a success again.”
George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks for the Beacon Journal.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ex-Browns star Josh Cribbs interested in potential Kent football job
Continue reading...
With current Golden Flashes coach Kenni being placed on administrative leave, Josh Cribbs, former Kent quarterback and decorated NFL return man and wide receiver could be a logical choice if the school looks for a new coach. The former Browns standout from 2005-12 would bring some immediate cachet to the program.
Cribbs, however, said in a Sunday interview on 923 the Fan (WKRK, 92.3 FM), with Daryl Ruiter and Nick Pedone, that he wasn’t campaigning for a job that wasn’t open yet. But is he interested? Absolutely.
“Of course, you know even in light of everything that's going on, I don't think it's a secret,” he said. “You know that I shared my interest in becoming the next head football coach at Kent State University. You know, it's my alma mater… I'm just excited for a possible opportunity.”
You must be registered for see images
Josh Cribbs could be a prodigal son returning home to Kent State football
Cribbs still holds a number of records from his days as the Golden Flashes’ quarterback. He is the all-time total offense leader with 10,839 yards. He holds the record for rushing touchdowns and touchdowns scored with 38 and 42, respectively. He holds the record for completions (616), pass attempts (1,123), passing yardage (7,169) and points scored with 246.
Those numbers put the Washington D.C. native on the Browns' radar and they signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He went on to set 11 Browns team records and to tie an NFL record for most career kickoff return touchdowns at eight, earning him a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s. In all, he played 10 NFL seasons with stops in Oakland, Indianapolis and with the New York Jets.
Kent is where he met and married his wife, Maria, and grew up, Cribbs said. Therefore, it would seem like a no-brainer that he would want to return, even though he’s enjoyed some success in local broadcasting. And while some might suspect that he could be underqualified for the job, he does have some coaching experience, having served as a special teams intern with the Browns and special teams coach for the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
You must be registered for see images attach
Josh Cribbs understands the changes in college football since he played at Kent State
But the reality is college football has changed significantly in the era of the transfer portal and NIL (name, image and likeness). Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders has shown that public relations may be as important as coaching.
That may be what Kent State needs to revitalize the program. Burns, who replaced the successful Sean Lewis (who left to join Sanders in Colorado, ironically, and has since left to helm San Diego State's program), has gone 1-23 in his first two seasons and mystery currently surrounds his status.
“The college landscape has significantly changed and we all know this, you know, to try to stay competitive even in the [Mid-American Conference]. The MAC is tremendously competitive now and me having just a lot of resources and to be able to …I’m the type of person to stay ready for an opportunity.
“To be ready for the opportunity and not have it rather than have the opportunity and not be prepared, he said “So I’m ready with NIL money. I’m ready with the resources. I have NFL coaches, college coaches at my disposal to not possibly join the staff, but to assist in making Kent State a success again.”
George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks for the Beacon Journal.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ex-Browns star Josh Cribbs interested in potential Kent football job
Continue reading...
