Some departing transfers, like Justin Shorter and Ricky Slade, were looking for a fresh start. During his career as a student-athlete, he served as a liaison between the student government and the athletic department. We have a lot of work and recruiting to do, and I can't wait to get started.". From the time I started working with him at North Dakota State in 2011, it was evident that he was a high-energy, driven coach that builds great relationships with his players. Coach of the Year. 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 750 yards are the most in an FBS regulation game in the 2019 season. He recorded his first career win in the home opener with a 54-14 triumph against Howard. The senior quarterback was the first Kent State recipient of the award since 1987 and only the second player in program history to earn the distinction. Kenni will do it his way! In a shortened 2020 season, Lewis guided the Golden Flashes to a 3-1 record, securing the first back-to-back winning seasons at Kent State for the first time since the 1976-77 seasons. Follow Audrey on Twitter @audsnyder4, Transfer Dante Cephas had 10 career 100-yard games at Kent State. In 2015, Bowling Green ranked fourth in the nation in total offense (546.8) and sixth in scoring offense (42.2 ypg). "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. Prior to connecting with P.J. Kenni is an elite coach and I am thrilled for him, his family and for Kent State. The talent around him should help elevate his play, with Cephus providing a boost. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Washington won 45-20. Burns' student-athletes have excelled under his tutelage. Hey Terry, The secret reason Cincinnati is so much better than people realize, Browns should trade Kareem Hunt: Heres why, Yelling in the locker room, a 4-game losing streak Terry Plutos Browns Scribbles, Browns are very good at doing one thing in 2022: Being frustrating, Browns & Ravens, two underachieving teams having frustrating season Terry Pluto pregame scribbles, What about Game 5 starter? 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. What about Myles Straw? In the season before, Cephas had 82 receptions for 1,240 yards and nine touchdown catches, becoming the first Kent State wide receiver to surpass 1,000 yards receiving in the The Kent State Golden Flashes have named Kenni Burns as the 23rd head football coach in program history, announced on Wednesday by Director of Athletics Randale L. Richmond . 4 in pay for assistant coaches last year. Coach Burns, his wife, Ciara, and their two children, will no doubt have an immediate impact on the program. Talking about Guardians search for power & Amed Rosario Hey Terry, Can this be the start of something big for the Browns? 2) and Michigan (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. He cameto theGolden Flashes after serving as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Dino Babers at Syracuse. That 2019 season started a three-year stretch where the Flashes finished .500 or better, a mark that hadn't been accomplished since 1972-74 under College Football Hall of Fame head coach Don James. Lewis earned a bachelors degree from Wisconsin in agricultural sciences in 2007. Running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen are special, and the offensive line showed improvement despite dealing with injuries to Olu Fashanu and Landon Tengwall, who are set to return. It was the first bowl win in school history andthe fourth bowl in programhistory and first since 2012. Fleck has been grooming Burns to become a head coach. In his senior year (2021), Crum became the first Kent State quarterback to throw for over 3,000 yards in a season and is one of two players to cross 9,000 yards of total offense in his career (7,420 passing, 2071 yards rushing), joining Josh Cribbs. Syracuse quarterbacks ranked 11thin the nation in passing. At North Dakota State, he coached five All-Missouri Valley wide receivers in his four seasons. Kent liked his big vision for the program. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. 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. Whoever Franklin hires to lead the receiving corps inherits a group has much to prove. John Cunningham- University of Cincinnati Director of Athletics: Kenni is a tremendous coach and an even better person. Lewis also helped Crum to one of the finest senior seasons and overall career at Kent State. 3) could still be ranked ahead of the Nittany Lions. "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.". From the time I started working with him at North Dakota State in 2011, it was evident that he was a high-energy, driven coach that builds great relationships with his players. Also, special teams ace Jonathan Sutherland is gone. Terry Plutos pregame scribbles. Mario Moccia- New Mexico State Director of Athletics: Kent State University just made a tremendous hire with Coach Kenni Burns. Over the past 61 years since 1962, the program has just 11 winning seasons (two Robinson, Tinsley, Johnny Dixon, Jordan Stout, Arnold Ebiketie, Derrick Tangelo and Hunter Nourzad are among the programs transfer portal successes as players who, at minimum, provided crucial depth. Highlighting that turnaround was the emergence of junior quarterback Dustin Crum. "I have no doubt that Kenni and his staff will build upon the solid foundation of Kent State football as we continue to graduate student-athletes, boldly prepared for life after sport and win championships.". Football Scoop identified Burns as one of their Rising Stars amongst minority coaches. As for the returning receiving corps, KeAndre Lambert-Smith ended the season on a high note with 83 yards against Michigan State and 124 yards in the Rose Bowl, and hes set to play a significant role next season. Kent State has hired Minnesota associate head coach Kenni Burns to become the new head coach of the Golden Flashes, it was announced Wednesday. Congratulations to Kenni, Ciara, and their two children! (Photo Courtesy of Kent State.). All rights reserved (About Us). 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Highlighting that streak was a 2021 Mid-American Conference East Division crown and the program's second trip to the conference title game. In just his second season, Lewis orchestrated one of the best turnarounds in college football. Noah Cain dealt with numerous injuries and then was the first to depart what became a crowded backfield, though it quickly thinned. If Sanders can draw elite athletes to Boulder, Lewis' system should be able to highlight them. Burns would be a candidate for multiple MAC jobs and perhaps some in the Mountain West He is a holistic person developer, a purpose-driven recruiter, a faith-based principled leader, an adaptable game planner and pristinely organized, a Group of 5 athletic director said.. Lewis played tight end and quarterback at Wisconsin under offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, an unusual incubator for a hyper-tempo offense. Cephas and whoever else ends up here is going to need a crash course on the offense and will have to quickly establish a rapport with Drew Allar. Penn State is No. Over the last six seasons, he's become one of Fleck's most important assistants and was the chief architect of the Golden Gophers' No. Finally, a fun game in Cleveland! As he has ascended through the coaching ranks through his time at Minnesota, I have always had an eye on him and he was always on my short list. He has served as the head coach for 17 years and has an impressive winning record. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. The on-field identity of Deion Sanders' Colorado program took form Monday, as sources told ESPN that the Buffaloes are hiring Kent State head coach Sean Lewis to be the The 2017 Kent State Golden Flashes football team represented Kent State University in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season.They were led by fifth-year head coach Paul Haynes and played their home games at Dix Stadium in Kent, Ohio as members of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference.They finished the season 210, 17 in MAC play to finish in last 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. This Month in Sports ReferenceFind out when we add a feature or make a change. The Golden Flashes trailed 27-6 with under eight minutes remaining and won the game in regulation. Sean Lewis became Kent State University's 22nd head football coach on Dec. 21, 2017. During the run, North Dakota State became the first FCS team to earn a vote in the final FBS AP Poll. Jon Sauber covers Penn State football and mens basketball for the Centre Daily Times. We are thrilled to bring Sean to Kent State, Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen said. Burns next stop was with Fleck at Western Michigan, and this seemed to begin his path to becoming a head coach. Kent States five-win improvement to 7-6 was tied for eighth-best in the FBS in 2019. "It makes sense," said a MAC coach who has faced Lewis. Will Levis hadnt won the starting quarterback job before and saw the writing on the wall. Former Kent State head coach Sean Lewis will join Deion Sanders' staff in Colorado. 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. There he was part of a staff that went 43-2 over four seasons. It's a program built on connection and development that's helped Minnesota to be consistently competitive in the Big Ten West and a solid top-25 program at an address where winning had only come sporadically. Over the last six seasons, he's become one of Fleck's most important assistants and was the chief architect of the Golden Gophers' number 11 rushing attack in the nation this season. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. ThePanthers made the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs both seasons and reached the quarterfinals in 2013 with a 12-2 mark. PJ Fleck- Head Coach-University of Minnesota. KENT- The Kent State Golden Flashes have named Kenni Burns as the 23rd head football coach in program history, announced on Wednesday by Director of Athletics Randale L. Richmond . How about a catcher? So, lets dive into some of the most pressing narratives surrounding the team this offseason and decide if they are myths or facts. In the season before, Cephas had 82 receptions for 1,240 yards and nine touchdown catches, becoming the first Kent State wide receiver to surpass 1,000 yards receiving in the 21st century. Prior to connecting with P.J. I think it fits a little bit of the wide-open attacking Pac-12 type of offenses. Lewis served as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Matt Johnson, that seasons MAC Offensive Player of the Year. (814) 231-6461. 3 nationally in rushing offense last season. 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. Championships: 1 Bowl Record: 4 Bowls, 1-3, .250 W-L% ( Major Stewart Mandels too early Top 25 for the 2023 college football season, (Top photo of KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Nick Singleton: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images). Late Tuesday, reports surfaced that Kent State is finalizing a five-year deal with Minnesota associate head coach Kenni Burns. Burns has experience coaching in the Mid-American Conference as the running backs coach at Western Michigan in 2016 under head coach P.J. Fleck, who he followed to Minnesota. 5. They should be able to attract guys who want to play in that type of system offensively.". Kent State Head Coach Sean Lewis, known as "Coach Lew" in football circles, got a moment to meet and hear from the other 'Coach Lou' with Kent There he was part of a staff that went 43-2 over four seasons. Of course, Ohio State (No. He was the 2004 Iron Man Award recipient, given to the Hoosier who played the most snaps during the season. 1 receiver, but theres a reason why Penn State wanted to add receivers through the portal. Mohamed Ibrahim was named the Big Ten's Running Back of the Year in 2020, an AP Third-Team All-American and First-Team All-Big Ten. Those arent prime places for recruiting, so Burns will be prepared to recruit at Kent State. With the Golden Gophers, Burns coached Rodney Smith, the program's all-time leader in all-purpose yards and second on the Minnesota career rushing list. Dotson did just that, but in many ways the uncertainty with the position group is there again now with Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley off to the NFL and Penn State needing an instant-impact transfer like Cephas. Kent State is in great hands with Kenni as he has prepared his entire career for this moment and is ready to take on this challenge. That team went 13-1, reached the Cotton Bowl and dominated the MAC like no team in recent history. The program posted the highest cumulative grade-point average and spring-term average under his guidance. I am excited to follow his journey! However, the reality is that Penn State is in a much better spot in terms of depth and shouldnt need immediate help like it desired last year at positions like running back and linebacker. (0:57). Kenni is one of the bright, young minds in our game. When Fleck wanted someone else on the staff to address his Minnesota team, his first choice was Burns. POSTED: Friday, December 16, 2022 11:57 AM, Updated: Wednesday, January 18, 2023 10:27 AM. "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. With Jake Pinegar not returning for an extra season, Penn State will have a new field goal kicker and kickoff specialist. Burns spent 2016 with P.J. 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. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. "We are truly excited to welcome Kenni, his wife Ciara and their two children into our Golden Flashes' family," Richmond said. [email protected] He arrived in 2020 looking for stability after bouncing around from job to job. The Nittany Lions are now halfway there with the addition of Cephas, who committed Sunday night within an hour of James Franklin announcing the firing of Stubblefield. Tailback Rodney Smith also left school as one of the most productive backs in Minnesota history under Burns' watch. Fleck at MAC member Western Michigan. The 2018 campaign saw the Flashes improve in scoring offense by 11.2 points per game and also a whopping 108.4 yards per game. Kent State is in great hands with Kenni as he has prepared his entire career for this moment and is ready to take on this challenge. Kent State Golden Flashes Coaches Seasons: 61 (1962 to 2022) Record (W-L-T): 225-446-5 Conferences: MAC Conf. He and his wife, Sarah, have two children. Wide receiver Steve Ishmael broke the single-season program records for catches (105) and yards (1,347), earned second-team All-America honors and was a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award. It marked the largest comeback in Kent State history and the largest fourth-quarter comeback this season. With seven games left, why it makes sense to change defensive coordinators, Whats happening to the Browns cant be acceptable to the powers in Berea Terry Plutos Scribbles, Its obvious Browns should replace defensive coordinator Joe Woods, Wolstein Center is a money-eating monster, time for a new arena and other changes at CSU, Browns at low point of the season, can coaches rally team? All rights reserved. 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