Josh Cribbs, the former Kent State and Cleveland Browns standout, has been appointed special teams analyst for the university’s football program, a move that follows the recent exit of longtime coordinator CJ Conrad for the Miami Dolphins.
The hiring underscores the program’s intent to blend alumni expertise with fresh leadership as it seeks to rebuild its special‑teams unit and return to competitive form.
Head coach Mark Carney said he was struck by Cribbs’s humility and relentless passion for the game, qualities that convinced him the former Pro Bowl return specialist would be a natural fit for the role.
Cribbs, who has long expressed a desire to give back to the campus that launched his career, views the position as more than a job — it is a duty to the next generation of Golden Flashes.
The former Brown, who earned a $75,000 salary as an assistant coach, brings a résumé that includes stints with the New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills, as well as a brief tenure on the staff of the Houston Texans.
His son, Israel Cribbs, recently secured a Division I scholarship from Kent State, a personal milestone that adds a family narrative to the professional transition.
Beyond the numbers, Cribbs is eager to demonstrate that his on‑field instincts and work ethic make him the best candidate to steer the special‑teams scheme toward greater efficiency and impact.
A Homecoming for a Football Icon
The move also reflects a broader trend of former players returning to their roots to mentor younger talent, a pattern that could reshape how colleges leverage alumni networks for competitive advantage.