The Kent State Golden Flashes have named Kenni Burns as the 23rd head football coach in program history, as announced on Wednesday by Director of Athletics Randale L. Richmond.
“We are truly excited to welcome Kenni, his wife Ciara and their two children into our Golden Flashes family,” Richmond said. “Kenni has been a key contributor to championship teams at every stop and was the most prepared candidate in the country to be a first-time head coach. 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.”
Burns, who is in his 15th year as a college coach, comes to Kent State from the University of Minnesota where he served as assistant head coach since 2019 and running backs coach under P.J. Fleck for the past six seasons. Burns was also a member of Fleck’s staff at Western Michigan in 2016, helping the Broncos finish the season ranked No. 26, win the Mid-American Conference Championship and earn a spot in the Cotton Bowl. Over the last five 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.
There will be a press conference tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m. EST, located at 132 S. Lincoln St., Kent, OH 44240 in the Cene Lecture Hall of the John Elliot Center for Architecture and Environmental Design.
Kent State of Mind: Malique Jacobs - Stepping into the Spotlight
“Man, this all still feels like a dream to me.
If I’m being honest, from the time I played my first JUCO (junior college) basketball game for Indian Hills Community College to right now, as a redshirt senior at Kent State, I don’t think I’ve ever stopped dreaming.”
The Kent State Men's Basketball team extended their record to 7-3 this past Saturday, beating Cleveland State 67-58.
Miryne Thomas started the game by pouring in two threes to get the Flashes on the board. In the first minutes of the game, the Flashes led the Vikings 6-1 and only allowed the Vikings to score off free throws. Thomas recorded 12 points and chipped in five rebounds.
Kent State Women's Basketball set a program record for margin of victory on Sunday afternoon, defeating Hiram College by a score of 105-33. The 72-point margin topped the previous record of 66 against Muskingum on Jan. 19, 1979.
The Golden Flashes (6-3) surpassed 100 points in a game for the second season in a row and posted the highest scoring performance since beating Bowling Green, 106-84, on Jan. 17, 2000.
The Kent State Gymnastics team hosted its annual Blue and Gold exhibition meet Friday night at the Memorial Athletic Convocation Center, with the Gold team grabbing the victory.
"I was pleased with the confidence I saw in a lot of our veterans and a lot of our freshmen," head coach Brice Biggin said. "Tonight was really all about gaining some experience, gaining some confidence out in the main gym and away from the practice gym."
Join us this Sunday, Dec. 18, for two events! Buy a ticket to wrestling’s meet against Northern Illinois at the Field House and bring it to the men’s basketball game at 5 p.m. at the MAC Center for free admission!
Wrestling will have an ugly sweater T-shirt giveaway, and men’s basketball will have an ugly sweater contest for students, toy drive and teddy bear toss!
Limited-edition courtside chairs, signed by the 2022-23 Kent State Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams, are now available for purchase. Get a piece of what promises to be an exciting and historical season for both teams. Plus, the chairs make a great holiday gift for a Flash family fan or treat for yourself this season!
Each chair will be sold for $350, or you can purchase a set of two for $500. Chair sales will benefit the men’s and women’s basketball enhancement fund. Chairs will be available for pick up at any upcoming December home basketball game or by appointment.
If you have any questions or want to schedule a pick-up time, please email The Golden Flashes Club or call 330-672-2078.
