The college football coaching carousel had a late finish in the latest hiring cycle. Eddie George bolted from his job with Tennessee State to take over the program of Bowling Green. On March 23, Tennesee State announced the hiring of former NFL receiver and Super Bowl champion Reggie Barlow to replace George.
Another program has a fluid situation with its head coach during the spring.
Per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Kent State football coach Kenni Burns has been placed on administrative leave.
College football coach placed on administrative leave
KSU released a statement to Brad Strainbrook of ESPN, which he posted on X. Offensive coordinator Mark Carney will direct on-field activities while Burns is on leave.
“Kent State has placed head football coach Kenni Burns on administrative leave with pay,” the statement reads. “Greg Glaus, executive deputy athletics director, will continue to oversee the administrative responsibilities related to the program. Offensive coordinator Mark Carney will direct on-field activities at this time. No further comments on this personnel matter will be provided.”
Kent State University has released the following statement to me on head football coach Kenni Burns being placed on administrative leave: pic.twitter.com/VWkvXLkPuX
— Brad Stainbrook (@StainbrookNFL) March 27, 2025
Kenni Burns has won one game in two years
The program hasn’t had an audacious start with Burns.
Burns took over the head coaching job at KSU in 2023. The Golden Flashes have gone 1-23 and 0-16 in the MAC under Burns.
The program didn’t release specifics as to why he was placed on leave. Since he wasn’t fired, it doesn’t appear to be performance-based.
Burns played college football as a running back for Indiana. At 41, he’s had assistant coaching stops at Millersville, Southern Illinois, North Dakota State, Wyoming, Western Michigan, and Minnesota.
Carney has no previous head coaching experience. (Per the statement, he has not been named interim head coach.) Carney was hired as KSU’s TE/IWR coach in 2023. He was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2024.
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