Kent State University has parted ways with coach Kenni Burns after an investigation into his two-year coaching tenure. Athletic director Randale Richmond announced that offensive coordinator Mark Carney will step in as interim coach for the upcoming season, with a national search for a permanent replacement planned later in the year.
Richmond emphasized the university’s commitment to supporting the student-athletes and ensuring a positive and competitive experience. The reasons behind Burns’ dismissal were not disclosed. Burns, who held a 1-23 record, was placed on administrative leave with pay just before the start of spring practices. Kent State struggled with a winless season last year, marking the fifth time in school history.
Prior to his role at Kent State, Burns served as the running backs coach at Minnesota. The Golden Flashes are set to kick off their season on Aug. 30 against Merrimack, followed by challenging matchups against teams like Texas Tech, Florida State, and Oklahoma.
For more updates on college football, sign up for poll alerts and stay informed with the AP Top 25 rankings throughout the season. Visit AP college football coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football.
