Kent State places head football coach Kenni Burns on administrative leave

Kent State football coach Kenni Burns has been placed on administrative leave, On3’s Pete Nakos confirms. Burns was hired as the Golden Flashes’ head coach in Dec. 2022.

According to Nakos, the program is set to begin spring ball this weekend. A team meeting has been scheduled for Thursday evening and as of Nakos’ report, no interim coach has been named.

The 2024 season marked the fifth time in program history that Kent State went winless during a season. Since being hired, Burns has a record of 1-23 as headman.

Despite the winless nature of this past season, the Golden Flashes were among the best in executing big plays. In 2024, Burns’ team ranked 21st in the nation in passing yards per completion at 13.5 yards per completion. His quarterback, Tommy Ulatowski, averaged 16.7 yards per completion — good for second-best in the country.

His program’s less than stellar performance under his leadership hasn’t been the only issue Burns has faced since becomming head coach, however. In November, Burns went to court for $24,000 in credit card debt, plus interest.

According to CBS, a complaint was filed by a local bank in September alleging that Burns was issued a credit card, but failed to make the monthly payment and exceeded it’s $20,000 credit limit. Burns’ base salary for the 2024 college football season started at $475,000.

“My wife and I are aware of a legal matter involving debt related to paying off a recent remodel and move,” Burns said in a statement to CBS. “We are working swiftly to address this matter.”

Before taking the head coaching job at Kent State in 2022, Burns had served as Minnesota‘s assistant head coach under P.J. Fleck since 2019. He was ultimately there for six seasons after he won three national championships with North Dakota State as wide receivers coach from 2010-13. In four seasons, he helped lead the Bison to a 43-2 overall record.

Before getting into the coaching industry, Burns was a running back for the Indiana Hoosiers. In 2004, he won the team’s ‘Iron Man’ award, which is given to the player who recorded the most snaps on the season. He graduated in 2006.

Kent State is scheduled to kick off its 2025 college football season at home on Aug. 30 against Merrimack College. They’ll travel to Texas Tech for Week 2. For now, it’s unclear who’ll be leading the charge for the Golden Flashes in those matchups.