Kent State Head Coach Kenni Burns fired after 2 seasons

Breaking news out of Kent State as head football coach Kenni Burns is being let go after 2 seasons. After 2 seasons at Kent State, he has only led his team to 1 win out of 24 games. 

Coach Burns never really seemed to figure it out at Kent State. Once he arrived, he had to build a roster that had been depleted by the portal after former head coach Sean Lewis left for Colorado to be a coordinator for the Buffalo’s. Heading into year 2, there was some momentum coming in after retaining some talent and bringing in pieces for the 2024 season. After the first game of the 2024 season, that's where things went downhill fast. Flashes would lose to FCS school St. Francis, get blown out in the first quarter vs Tennessee, lose 2 Quarterbacks to season ending injuries just to name a few. 

Things turned worse off the field when news broke that Coach Kenni Burns would be sued by university sponsored bank, Hometown Bank,  for an unpaid loan. Burns states that there was miscommunication on the loan and claims that the loan was used for home renovations. There are also leaks of Kenni Burns being sued by First Southern Bank during his tenure at Southern Illinois. No word on what this loan was used for, but alarming to say the least. Coach Burns has had the same amount of success off the field than he did on the field. No success at all, an overall horrible hire by administration. 

It was announced that Coach Mark Carney, will be the interim Head Coach for the 2025 season. Carney, is a coach that is well liked, respected by his peers and players on this team. Carney is a local guy, born in Cleveland, with experience being a coordinator at the group of 5 level.

Randale Richmond is tasked with finding a new head coach for the 2026 season and beyond. This program looks to find a new leader, someone who has a strong track record that wants to make a difference for this university. We aren't looking for the biggest name hire, someone that is ready to make that jump to being a head coach. Someone that is going to lead by example for the student athletes that they bring in.