Paul Haynes has stepped down from his position as Kent State head football coach for “two to three weeks,” the university announced in a press release Sunday night. 

The university announced the change in a statement, calling it “a medical leave of absence.”

The 48-year-old Haynes, who was entering his fifth season at the helm for the Flashes, amassed a record of 12-35 (8-23 Mid-American Conference) in his first four years. Haynes previously served as the defensive backs coach at Ohio State from 2005-10 before being bumped up to co-defensive coordinator in 2011. He became the defensive coordinator at Arkansas in 2012.

Haynes had previously coached at Kent State in 1999 and 2000, serving as the defensive backs coach and assistant head coach.

Kent State football has not had a winning season since 2012.

“We fully support head coach Paul Haynes during his leave,” Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen said in the release. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Haynes family as we look forward to his return to Kent State.”

Haynes will be replaced by current Kent State Offensive Coordinator Don Treadwell. Treadwell was hired by Kent State in 2014 as their running backs coach after he had previously spent the past three seasons as the head coach of Miami (OH).  

Treadwell has previously served as the offensive coordinator at Ball State and Michigan State. 

Kent State opens their season this Saturday when they travel to take on #5 Clemson.

Henry Palattella is the sports editor. Contact him at [email protected].