“Stunning Shake-Up: College Football Coach Suspended Amid Rumors of Scandal and Controversy”

As the excitement of the new college football season builds anticipation, one head coach finds himself on the sidelines—not due to strategy or game preparation, but rather a surprising administrative leave. Meet Kenni Burns, the man at the helm of Kent State football, whose coaching tenure has had a rocky start that most would agree is hard to ignore. With a mere 1-23 record over two seasons, including a dismal winless performance in year two, his fortunes are crumbling. As Kent State prepares for spring practice with a looming team meeting, many are left to wonder: does a coach’s personal turmoil overshadow the pressures of the game, or is it simply part of the tumultuous world of college sports? One thing’s for sure: as Burns grapples with not only the team’s struggles but also his own legal issues, the future of Kent State football hangs in the balance. LEARN MORE

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The college football season is set to begin in a few months, but one head coach isn’t spending the early part of the spring with his team.

According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Kent State has placed head coach Kenni Burns on administrative leave. Burns has been the head coach since 2023, but the team has struggled heavily in his two seasons.

Burns won once in his first season and went winless in year two, and he now has a 1-23 career record with the Golden Flashes. He’s 0-16 in the MAC in two years of conference play, and it seems that the team is at least open to a change on the sidelines.

Nakos says that the Flashes are set to begin their spring program this week. A team meeting is set for Thursday night, and the team has yet to name or announce an interim head coach.

Kent State head coach Kenni Burns has been placed on administrative leave, a source tells @On3sports. ESPN first.

A team meeting is scheduled in 30 minutes. Spring ball starts in two days. No interim has been named. https://t.co/BNlggv4lq2 pic.twitter.com/hM3v1z89Vw

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) March 27, 2025

The 2024 campaign marked only the fifth time in program history that Kent State went winless in a season. Burns has also faced legal trouble during his time at Kent State, and had to go to court in November over $24,000 in credit card debt.

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

Hometown Bank, based in Kent, Ohio, filed a complaint in September. The bank alleged that Burns applied for a credit card and was approved for it, but failed to make minimum monthly payments on the card.

The bank also said that Burns exceeded the monthly limit of $20,000 on the card despite his starting base salary of $475,000.

“The documents attached to the complaint and the allegations in the complaint kind of speak for themselves,” said an attorney representing the bank. The attorney noted that Burns had been notified by mail, and that a credit card statement attached to the suit noted that the account was past due by at least 60 days.

We’ll see what happens with Kent State football, but it seems that Burns’ days as head coach are numbered after his personal scandal and the team’s lack of success.