### Kent State Football Program Faces Turmoil: Kenni Burns Fired After Disappointing Tenure - Kenni Burns, the head football coach at Kent State University, has been terminated following a two-year stint that resulted in a dismal record of 1-23, including a winless 0-12 season in 2024. Burns was initially placed on administrative leave on March 27, 2025, amid an investigation into his conduct during his tenure [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6272683/2025/04/11/kent-state-fires-kenni-burns-investigation]. The university announced his firing on April 11, 2025, with offensive coordinator Mark Carney stepping in as interim coach for the upcoming season [https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/kent-state-fires-kenni-burns-after-placing-coach-on-administrative-leave-will-run-with-interim-boss-for-2025]. ### Breakdown of the Situation: Key Points 1. **Coaching Record**: Kenni Burns' overall record at Kent State was 1-23, with a particularly poor performance in the 2024 season, where the team did not secure a single victory [https://www.reuters.com/sports/kent-state-fires-coach-kenni-burns-with-1-23-record-2025-04-11]. 2. **Administrative Leave**: Burns was placed on administrative leave prior to the start of spring practices, indicating potential issues that warranted further investigation [https://www.nbcsports.com/college-football/news/kent-state-fires-football-coach-kenni-burns-following-investigation]. 3. **Interim Leadership**: Following Burns' dismissal, Mark Carney, the offensive coordinator, has been appointed as the interim head coach for the 2025 season [https://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/2025/04/kent-state-football-fires-football-coach-kenni-burns-following-investigation.html]. 4. **Future Plans**: Kent State plans to conduct a national search for a new head coach after the 2025 season, as stated by athletic director Randale Richmond [https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/kent-state-fires-football-coach-kenni-burns-following-investigation/article_8d033d35-93de-5905-8433-e3f43bbdbebf.html]. ### Supporting Evidence: Performance Metrics and Context - **Record Overview**: - **2023 Season**: 1 win, 11 losses - **2024 Season**: 0 wins, 12 losses - **Total**: 1 win, 23 losses over two seasons [https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/44630474/kent-state-fires-coach-kenni-burns-0-12-season]. - **Scoring Margin**: In the 2024 season, Kent State was outscored by a significant margin of 529-167, highlighting the team's struggles on both offense and defense [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/kent_state_fires_coach_kenni_burns_with_1_23_record/s1_17047_42036910]. ### Conclusion: A New Chapter for Kent State Football - **Major Findings**: 1. **Termination of Kenni Burns**: The decision to fire Burns was influenced by his poor performance and the ongoing investigation into his conduct [https://www.si.com/college/group-five/mac/kent-state-fires-head-football-coach-kenni-burns-after-two-seasons]. 2. **Interim Leadership**: Mark Carney will lead the team as they prepare for the 2025 season, with a focus on supporting student-athletes during this transition [https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/college-football/kent-state-university-terminates-kenni-burns-mark-carney-named-interim-football-coach/95-5fbf36b6-f265-4be0-8069-c36b92341848]. 3. **Future Direction**: The university is committed to finding a new head coach after the season, aiming to revitalize the football program [https://www.crainscleveland.com/sports-recreation/kent-state-fires-head-football-coach-kenni-burns]. This situation marks a significant turning point for Kent State football, as the program seeks to rebuild and improve its competitive standing in the Mid-American Conference.