Sunday update> Source tells FootballScoop Burns has backed out of the process and will remain at Minnesota.
Original article (published Friday):
Minnesota running backs coach Kenni Burns is a strong candidate for the Eastern Illinois head coaching vacancy, sources told FootballScoop Friday.
Burns conducted an on-campus interview on Thursday, and a hire could be official as early as today if all boxes are checked and the sides are able to reach an agreement.
Burns has spent the past two seasons coaching running backs at Minnesota, and prior to that was with PJ Fleck as the running backs coach at Western Michigan.
Before working on Fleck's staffs, Burns helped North Dakota State win three straight FCS national championships as the Bison's wide receivers coach, then followed head coach Craig Bohl to Wyoming for a season. Burns' first Division I job came as the tight ends coach at Southern Illinois from 2008-09.
Burns is a native of Springfield, Ill., located 95 miles west of EIU's campus. He played running back at Indiana 2003-06.
Eastern Illinois went 3-8 this season. The school announced on Nov. 18 that Kim Dameron's contract would not be renewed after five seasons and one FCS playoff appearance.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.