1 receiver, but theres a reason why Penn State wanted to add receivers through the portal. Do you have a blog? Lewis spent his previoussix seasons alongside head coach Babers at Syracuse (2016-17), Bowling Green (2014-15) and Eastern Illinois(2012-13). Burns brings with him a strong track record of recruiting, developing and culture-building, as he has been part of Fleck's noted "Row The Boat" program for seven seasons. I want to thank President Todd Diacon, Director of Athletics Randale L. Richmond and the entire search committee for this opportunity and for believing in me," Burns said. Director of Prior to connecting with P.J. Fleck, Burns won three national championships with the North Dakota State Bison, serving as wide receivers coach from 2010-13. Penn State is well positioned at tight end, led by Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren, and shouldnt need the three signees to make major contributions unless an injury occurs or theres a path for a significant special teams role. I want to thank President Todd Diacon, Director of Athletics Randale L. Richmond and the entire search committee for this opportunity and for believing in me," Burns said. Kent State football (19201929) Paul G. Chandler, Kent State's first football coach The Kent State football program represented Kent State Normal College (later Kent State University) in American football during its first decade from 1920 to 1929. The Golden Flashes trailed 27-6 with under eight minutes remaining and won the game in regulation. The early enrollees are getting acclimated, while many NFL and transfer portal decisions have been made. ESPN named him one of 45 Minority Coaches Under 45 to Watch in 2022. With the Golden Gophers, Burns coached Rodney Smith, the programs all-time leader in all-purpose yards and second on the Minnesota career rushing list. 5. News never stops. He wrote this about Burns: He has become one of P.J. Of course, Ohio State (No. Fleck, Burns won three national championships with the North Dakota State Bison, serving as wide receivers coach from 2010-13. They should be able to attract guys who want to play in that type of system offensively.". From there, Lewis followed Babers to Bowling Green in the MAC and Syracuse in the ACC, climbing to offensive coordinator and steeping himself in tempo offense. Washington won 45-20. The Flashes ranked No. Lewis was making $530,000 at Kent, and will likely receive a significant raise at Colorado, which gave Sanders a $5 million budget for assistant coaches. In his two years with Southern Illinois, the Salukis had a fullback and a tight end on the all-conference team both seasons. "A national search for the next head coach of the Golden Flashes is underway as we look to continue to take the program to new heights while we graduate student-athletes, boldly prepared for life after sport and win championships.". The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. At North Dakota State, he coached five All-Missouri Valley wide receivers in his four seasons. Burns, who is also the Gophers running backs coach, has helped produce a stable of strong tailbacks for the Gophers, as he recruited and developed Mo Ibrahim into the school's all-time leading rusher who has scored the most touchdowns in program history. Kenni will do it his way! "I am looking forward to getting to know the team and connecting with them on a personal level, and I am also excited to engage our alumni and fans as we begin to move this program forward. Coach of the Year. Lewis also guided the Flashes to a road victory over Bowling Green, the first since 2012, in his return to the school where he served as co-offensive coordinator. Mohammed Ibrahim was named the Big Tens Running Back of the Year in 2020, an AP Third-Team All-American and First-Team All-Big Ten. Richmond ran his first major search at the school since arriving in April 2021. They complete in the Mid-American Conference and the East division. Bowl Record: 4 Bowls, 1-3, .250 W-L% (Major Bowls), Ranked in AP Poll: 0 Times (Preseason), 0 Times (Final), 5 Weeks (Total), NFL/AFL stats for Kent State Golden Flashes players at Pro-Football-Reference, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, January 18, 6:35AM. Both HHH and The Rock became industry legends, with the Rock winning eight world championships and HHH 14. Kent State wide receiver Dante Cephas is pictured during an NCAA football game against Washington on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Seattle. Lewis served as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Matt Johnson, that seasons MAC Offensive Player of the Year. Coach Burns, his wife, Ciara, and their two children, will no doubt have an immediate impact on the program. Kent liked his big vision for the program. (Maria Lysaker / USA Today), commitment from former Kent State wide receiver Dante Cephas, North Carolina transfer cornerback Storm Duck. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, it averaged 30.1 seconds of real time between snaps. "I am looking forward to getting to know the team and connecting with them on a personal level, and I am also excited to engage our alumni and fans as we begin to move this program forward. He got his college coaching start at Division-IIs Millersville (PA) before landing at Southern Illinois University, serving as the tight ends and fullbacks coach for the Salukis for two seasons. If Sanders can draw elite athletes to Boulder, Lewis' system should be able to highlight them. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. The future is bright for Kent State Football! When Fleck was hired by Minnesota in 2017, Burns went with him. Also, special teams ace Jonathan Sutherland is gone. Burns and his wife, Ciara, have a daughter (Raziah) and a son (Kohen). The deal is for five years, sources told ESPN. Kent State coach Sean Lewis is doused with a smoothie mixture after the team's 51-41 win over Utah State in the Frisco Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, in Frisco, Texas. Richards was led by veteran Gary Korhonen, who earned National High School Coach of the Year honors from both the National Football Hall of Fame and the National High School Coaches Association. I am happy for Kenni to get the opportunity to lead the Kent State program. Kent State Names Kenni Burns as 23rd Head Football Coach in Program History, Bernice King, Daughter of Civil Rights Leader, to Speak at Kent State MLK Celebration, Downtown Kent Landmark Celebrates 85 Years of Beer and Gerties Chili, Upward Bound: Sending Students Soaring for Nearly 50 Years, HEERF CARES/CRRSAA/ARP Act Reporting and Disclosure. He is entering his third season as head coach and remains one of the youngest coaches in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). His commitment to his student-athletes and the Kent State community will be unmatched. He followed Craig Bohl and the North Dakota State coaching staff to Wyoming after the 2013 season, serving as the Cowboys wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator in 2014. Highlighting the record-setting season was when Kent State tied the program single-game record in points (69) and touchdowns (10) in the Wagon Wheel rivalry victory. Sean brings an innovative style of football to Kent State with an offensive system that is proven in the MAC. Kenni is more than prepared to take on the role of head coach at Kent State University and I am sure he and Ciara are excited to join some of the all-time greats affiliated with the Golden Flashes football program. John Cunningham- University of Cincinnati Director of Athletics: Kenni is a tremendous coach and an even better person. He recorded his first career win in the home opener with a 54-14 triumph against Howard. Its 5,290 yards of total offense were the second most in program history. Kent State University is looking for a new head football coach. Mario Moccia- New Mexico State Director of Athletics: Kent State University just made a tremendous hire with Coach Kenni Burns. During the run, North Dakota State became the first FCS team to earn a vote in the final FBS AP Poll. At North Dakota State, he coached five All-Missouri Valley wide receivers in his four seasons. Highlighting that turnaround was the emergence of junior quarterback Dustin Crum. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. You Lewis, 36, was the youngest head coach in the country when he was hired in December 2017. Though the Nittany Lions have several underclassmen who could emerge, Lambert-Smith (24 catches) and Harrison Wallace III (19) are the only returning wide receivers who had double-digit catches in 2023. Keep in mind the timing, though. He got his college coaching start at Division-II's Millersville (PA) before landing at Southern Illinois University, serving as the tight ends and fullbacks coach for the Salukis for two seasons. The Gophers' rushing attack has gained over 2,000 yards in every full season during his tenure and has averaged at least 170 yards per game. Lewis went 24-31 in five years, a tenure that was generally deemed successful as he won the school's first bowl game in history and endured a difficult schedule that featured three high-profile buy games a year. Chris Klieman Head Coach-Kansas State University. Lisa Scalfaro Kent State athletic director Randale Richmond announces Kenni Burns as the head football coach. Both programs have been to the College Football Playoff multiple times before. Prior to connecting with P.J. [a] The Kent State fielded their first team in 1920 coached by Paul G. Chandler and are currently coached by Sean Lewis. Chris Klieman Head Coach-Kansas State University. He could become that No. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Burns' experience winning at places such as North Dakota State, Wyoming and Southern Illinois gave Richmond faith that Burns could build and execute a vision for Kent State. Minnesota head coach P.J. Ranking college football's 66 best transfers: Who is making moves after bowl season. I checked with my sources to find out about the 39-year-old Burns and what made him so appealing to Kent State and athletic director Randale Richmond. KENT- Sean Lewis has tendered his immediate resignation as head football coach at Kent State, ending a five-year run as head coach of the Golden Flashes. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022). Cleveland.coms Terry Pluto takes a in-depth look at Burns path to becoming the next head coach at Kent State. What happened after the Browns returned from the Bye Week? His success there belies his record (24-31), as he won the program's first bowl game and reached the MAC title game last year. Sean Lewis announced hes leaving after five seasons in Kent to become a coordinator at the University of Colorado. During the run, North Dakota State became the first FCS team to earn a vote in the final FBS AP Poll. His units paved the way for the #5 rushing attack in the FCS in 2009, averaging over 222 yards per game. Penn State defense is prepared to create havoc, reload in secondary: 2023 first thoughts. My initial guess and Ill revisit this in the summer when theres better grasp on who is standing out and how theyre acclimating is that five players burn redshirts next season. Over the last six seasons, hes become one of Flecks most important assistants and was the chief architect of the Golden Gophers number 11 rushing attack in the nation this season. Kent State hires Gophers' Burns to be new HC, Former LSU QB Howard transferring to Ole Miss, Police: Speed a primary cause in fatal UGA crash, U-M's Weiss on leave amid police investigation, Reports: UF QB commit Rashada wants release, Miami QB Garcia in portal, has 3 eligible seasons, TCU WR Johnston, RB Miller entering NFL draft, Potential top-5 pick Stroud leaving OSU for NFL, Star Trojans WR Addison declares for NFL draft, The final 2022 college football Power Rankings, College football's Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2023, What Garrett Riley's big move means for Clemson, Dabo and TCU, Purdue names Illinois DC Walters as head coach, What we learned from the new college football head-coach hires: 10 big takeaways. Burns is from Illinois and played collegiately at Indiana. Regardless, theres a ton of talent on the roster, and Penn State showcased it in 2022. His seven seasons with Fleck offer a blueprint for how to build and compete in the MAC footprint, something that Fleck did as well as anyone in the MAC in the past generation. Burns has been a linchpin member of P.J. 3. Dix Stadium was the site of some very good football the last few years with Sean Lewis as coach. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Burns' ability to lay out a vision and implement it appealed most to Kent State athletic director Randale Richmond, sources told ESPN. Support cleveland.com, P.J. We are confident Sean can build broad support and engagement in our program along with competitive success.. A 2006 graduate of Indiana University, Burns played three seasons at running back for the Hoosiers. The second transfer portal window in May will inevitably see some other receivers become available. I wouldnt expect 10 players to burn redshirts again next season, though special teams could be a good starting point for some of the incoming linebackers and defensive backs. 2) and Michigan (No. 1 receiver. Capping the turnaround was a 51-41 victory in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl. Thats a significant number, and its a big reason why at least a handful of players in this class could have the chance to contribute in their first season. Should we worry as NBA reality hits the Cavaliers? One year earlier, the Falcons won a MAC East title and the Camellia Bowl. Fleck with Kenni Burns (L). During his career as a student-athlete, he served as a liaison between the student government and the athletic department. I am excited to follow his journey! But he also wants to merge it with FlashFAST, the uptempo offense installed by Lewis that led to four consecutive winning seasons in the MAC. 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