[1][2] Prior to working at Western Michigan, Kenney coached for over two decades under Joe Paterno for the Penn State Nittany Lions and was a graduate assistant for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Kenney attended Norwich University, where he played football as a tight end and fullback.
At Norwich, he was a three-year starter and, during his senior season in 1981, was the co-captain of the squad.
[3] The year after his playing career ended, he remained at his alma mater and served as the offensive backfield coach in 1982.
[4] He then moved back to the college level where, from 1986 to 1987 he served as a graduate assistant at the University of Nebraska.