Ahh yes college football season is right around the corner and Kent State is eager to get back onto the field.Recently, I sat down with second year Head Coach Kenni Burns to discuss Kent State Football, coaching styles, recruiting and more.
Kenni Burns enters his second year as a Head Coach and he's excited for the season to kick off. With this new season rapidly approaching, Burns has brought in a group of new coaches, including a few coaches with NFL experience. He relies on his coaches to help offset his weaknesses and has surrounded himself with a staff that teaches and demands the outcome of the players to perform. Burns says that he wants to put his players first in every decision for this team currently and in the future. He said “Don't sacrifice what you want now for something down the road.”
Coach Burns was brought in as the 23rd Head Coach in Golden Flash history back on December 14th, 2022. When asked if there is one thing that he could go back and tell himself it would be that everyone is not going to buy in immediately and that they need proof. He notes that the vision and the reality don't always align. At first, he was frustrated. However, he is pleased with the recent growth and buy-in, as they’ve been able to align and find the right players for the culture.
In June, Coach Burns and Co. have seen the fruits of their labor on the recruiting trail, as they received verbal commitments from talented players. They currently sit 3rd in the 2025 MAC Recruiting Rankings per 247 Sports. and they're currently sitting 3rd in the 2025 MAC team rankings. Burns explained that this class is built off of relationships and the biggest selling point Burns talks about is that they are going to give them the experience. When speaking with players and their families, he sells prospects on the investment that you’re going to receive over the next 4-5 years. The investment you may ask? Academic excellence, great coaches on and off the field, the opportunity to learn about life and self and spiritually
Kent State Football opens the season at Pittsburgh, a team that finished last season 3-9. This game has the opportunity to be a #FlyTheFlag moment. Before then, Coach Burns has a lot to learn/confirm about his team. Is depth a positive question or negative question.
He notes the depth is the biggest question at each position. He notes the linebacker room might be our best position group. Cornerback position, we don’t really know who will start but its a position that will be competitive in fall camp and should be at a high level this fall. Right now, the leader at the quarterback position is Tommy Ulatowski but don’t sleep on JD Sherrod and Devin Kargman. Coach Burns plans to announce the starting quarterback in the middle of fall camp. As for breakout players for the year, whoever starts at Quarterback, he believes will be that breakout player for the offense. As for the defense, Burns said Rocco Nicholl impressed him during spring camp. As for freshmen that have impressed thus far, he mentioned Nylan Brown, a Linebacker, Elijah Williams, an Interior Offensive Lineman and Deshawn Martin, a Wide Receiver.
Coach Burns concluded that everyone has to be “All in and not look back at the past.” He expects there to be growth from last year and to improve on every aspect on the football field. He believes that there's a clear path to be something special, something that I also believe in. It may take time but there's going to be an improvement every day, week and year. Rome wasn’t built in a day and we should remember that as fans.
Comments