For Mark Carney, the 2025 season has been fruitful. Taking up a perilous 1-23 record from his predecessor, Kenni Burns, the interim head coach led the roster to a 3-5 streak. Seeing the drastic improvement, the Golden Flashes decided to remove the interim tag. “Since taking over as interim head coach, Mark has instilled belief, togetherness, and a winning culture into our football program,” said AD Randale Richmond. The former offensive coordinator has been retained as a full-time head coach.

Who Is Mark Carney?

It was a six-month wait for the 45-year-old to get the head coaching status. In doing so, Kent State made a Northeast Ohio native its football team’s head coach for the first time since Boardman’s Dick Crum held the job from 1988 to 90. Mark Carney, born in Cleveland and raised in Lakewood, where his parents moved when he was about 6.

During his collegiate career, he played QB for Fordham in the early 2000s and served as a student assistant from 2002 to 2003. There, he earned the prestigious Vincent T. Lombardi Award as Fordham’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2002 and the 2001 All-Patriot League mention, along with FCS All-American honors. In addition to that, he was a four-year letter winner at his alma mater.

From there, he had multiple stops in different roles on different teams. Richmond Spiders, Bowling Green Falcons, Virginia State Trojans, and Charlotte 49ers were some of his former teams before accepting the role with Kent State. Now that we know about his professional history, let’s understand his personal story.

Mark Carney’s wife and children

Married to Sarah, the new head coach of Kent State football, is a father to three kids. Devyn, Marcus, and Andrew. On his X, Mark Carney made multiple tweets to highlight his wife’s role. “Husband to an incredible wife, father to three amazing kids.” Back in August 2020, the coach shared a beautiful snap with his significant other, “So grateful for this woman! #mylady #gratitude.” Apart from this, the coach and his family keep their personal life under wraps. With the Golden Flashes’ job now permanent, there is more spotlight on his career.

Mark Carney Career Highlights

The 45-year-old began his coaching career at Fordham as a student assistant in the early 2000s. Moving to Richmond, he helped the Spiders to the FCS playoffs three times, leading them to the 2008 FCS National Championship game. He further worked at Baldwin-Wallace as an offensive coordinator and coached wide receivers at Bowling Green. Over five years with the Falcons, he would lead the program to three bowl games. Carney would then switch to Virginia State as an offensive coordinator, leading the Trojans to a 29-12 record.

The four-year run also included a 2017 CIAA title, achieved with an undefeated 7-0 record. After spending four years with the Trojans, he arrived at Charlotte as a quarterbacks coach, building an impressive portfolio over the next four seasons. In his first year, he led the 49ers to seven wins and a trip to the Bahamas Bowl, earning him a promotion. For the next three seasons, he would lead the program as an offensive coordinator, averaging 400 yards of offense.

Kent State Names Carney Full-Time Head Coach

Coming off as an offensive coordinator at Charlotte, he joined the Golden Flashes as a tight end coach under Kenni Burns in 2023. The very next year, Mark Carney got the promotion to be the offensive coordinator for the program. During that tenure, under the leadership of the then-head coach Kenny Burns, the program recorded just one win against the Central Connecticut Blue Devils. Burns was eventually let go, and Carney was given the reins as interim head coach.

Wins against Merrimack Warriors, Massachusetts Minutemen, and Bowling Green Falcons earned him praise, landing him the head coach gig. “The way he’s positively impacted this team, this department, this campus, and this community, he’s earned the right to lead this program,” AD Randale Richmond said. Under his mentorship, Chrishon McCray and Luke Floriea earned the All-MAC Team honors. Proud of his team, Carney accepted the offer, saying, “What an incredible blessing to be named the next head football coach at Kent State University.”

Mark Carney’s announcement as the new head coach was met with cheers. “The team “erupted” in celebration, per a source, and began chanting his name,” Pete Thamel reported. Now, let’s understand his remuneration from the Golden Flashes.

Mark Carney Net Worth & Salary

According to intel from Pete Thamel, Mark Carney is set to earn $550,000 annually, with a base salary of $450,000 over his four-year contract. “Sources: Mark Carney’s deal to be Kent State’s permanent coach includes four additional seasons through 2029. He’ll make $550,000 annually, with a $450,000 base,” Thamel shared on X. During his tenure, if he reaches a bowl game, he will secure another year of his tenure as a head coach. “He’ll get an additional year if Kent State reaches a bowl game.”

According to USA Sports, Mark Carney has received significant annual increases during his tenure at Kent State. Last season, Carney reportedly received $150,000, with no bonus. In 2023, he received $110,210 from the program as a tight end coach. With the head coach tag, now official, it will be a great moment for the Northeast Ohio native to take the program to newer heights.