Western Michigan University Athletics

Bill Kenney joined the Western Michigan staff on February 26, 2013, and serves as the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. He began at WMU as the program’s offensive tackles and tight ends coach before shifting to solely tight ends prior to the 2017 campaign. During the spring of 2020, Kenney transitioned to the offensive line coach.

In his first season over the entirety of the offensive line, Kenney's unit paved the way for the Bronco offense to rank among the top offenses in FBS. WMU finished the year ranked ninth nationally in scoring offense (41.7 points per game), 16th in total offense (479.7 yards per game) and 23rd in passing offense (286.5 yards per game). Two Broncos were All-MAC selections, as Mike Caliendo was a first-team honoree and Jaylon Moore earned a spot on the second team.

Kenney’s 2019 unit was highlighted by senior Giovanni Ricci, who was named a semfinalist for the John Mackey Award, presented annually to the top tight end in college football. Ricci was a first team All-Mid-American Conference selection who finished tied for third nationally among tight ends with eight touchdowns. He caught 51 passes for 642 yards, tying for eighth in the conference in receptions and standing 13th in receiving yards. At the conclusion of the 2019 campaign, Ricci represented Western Michigan in the East-West Shrine Bowl. 

During the 2019 campaign, of the Broncos’ 21 receiving scores, 10 were from Kenney’s tight ends (47.6 percent). His group helped WMU rank third in the MAC in scoring offense (33.1 points per game) and second in total offense (445.7 yards per game). 

Off the field, Ricci was named to his fourth Academic All-MAC squad and was joined by junior tight end Brett Borske, who received his second selection.

In 2018, Kenney helped Ricci to 35 catches for 392 yards and a trio of touchdowns. Odell Miller also proved to be a key piece to the run game, blocking for first team All-MAC running back LeVante Bellamy’s 1,228 yards and third team all-league selection Jamauri Bogan’s 16 ground scores. Borske claimed his first academic all-league honor in 2018 while Miller and Ricci each received his third. 

Kenney mentored Bronco tight end Donnie Ernsberger, who was a second team All-MAC selection in 2017 and a third team All-MAC selection in 2016. Ernsberger scored four touchdowns and totaled 394 yards on a team second-best 34 receptions in 2017. Ernsberger also finished second on the squad in 2017 with four receiving scores. He was invited to and played in the NFLPA Bowl and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

During the 2016 MAC championship season, WMU had two first team All-MAC tackle selections in Chukwuma Okorafor and Taylor Moton. Moton was an All-America in 2016 and a second round NFL Draft pick by the Carolina Panthers. Okorafor earned All-America status in 2017 and went on to become a third round NFL Draft selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In 2015, Kenney helped left tackle Willie Beavers to first team All-MAC honors, becoming the first Bronco offensive lineman named to the top team since 2012. Beavers also became WMU’s first drafted offensive lineman since 1995 when he was the Minnesota Vikings’ fourth round choice.

In his second season at WMU, in 2014, Kenney’s work with the offensive tackles and tight ends helped produce the MAC’s Offensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year in Jarvion Franklin. 

Prior to Western Michigan, Kenney racked up 31 years of coaching with the bulk coming at Penn State University, where he began as a graduate assistant (1988) and worked with the offensive line from 1989-2011.  He took on the role of recruiting coordinator in 1992-95 and worked directly with offensive tackles and tight ends from 2000-11.

During his time with the Nittany Lions, Kenney coached six All-Americans and 18 All-Big Ten players. He coached 10 Academic All-Americans and 47 Academic All-Big Ten players. 

Kenney developed 30 NFL players, 25 draft picks and five NFL free agent signees, all of whom received their degrees from PSU. He recruited 32 NFL draft picks, including five first round selections. His offensive line paved the way for Larry Johnson to rush for a program record 2,587 yards and helped produce eight 1,000-yard rushers since 2002.

His offensive line ranked fourth nationally in sacks allowed in 2008, limiting opponents to just 13. In 2005, the Penn State offensive line allowed fewer than 15 sacks and finished second in the Big Ten in rushing and scoring.

Before joining Penn State, Kenney served as a graduate assistant at Nebraska (1986-87) and worked at his alma mater, Norwich University, in the offensive backfield in 1982. Kenney was a three-year starter at Norwich as a tight end/fullback and was a team co-captain in 1981.

Kenney and his wife, Kathryn, have three children, Joseph, Matthew and Jacqueline.