Kent State coach Kenni Burns fired after multiple violations of his contract
Kenni Burns was fired as Kent State's football head coach for multiple violations of his contract, including how he used a personal credit card.
Kent State did not provide details on why Burns was fired last Friday, but a copy of Burns' dismissal letter was obtained by The Associated Press through a public records request.
University President Todd A. Diacon outlined five reasons for cause for Burns' firing, with the first being 'significant, repetitive, and intentional violation (or a pattern of conduct which may constitute or lead to a major violation), as determined by Kent State University after appropriate investigation, of the University's policies and procedures regarding your P-card (personal card) expenditures.'
Burns was sued last September by Hometown Bank in Kent, Ohio, for $23,852.09 plus interest in unpaid credit card purchases, which exceeded the credit limit of $20,000. Burns did not make minimum monthly payments on the card and was 60 days past due in August, according to a Portage County Court of Common Pleas document.
The case was dismissed a couple months later when Burns made payment.
Burns was put on administrative leave with pay on March 27, a couple of days before the Golden Flashes began spring practices. Athletics director Randale Richmond said in the letter to Burns that he was being investigated for committing deliberate or serious violations of policies outlined by the university.
'My family and I are saddened by the news today,' Burns posted on social media after he was fired. 'We are thankful for the relationships and connections we have made with the players, coaches, and staff over the past few years. The team bond we have is not transactional but that of a family. Kent G.R.I.T. will bind us forever, and for that I am thankful. I am proud of you all, and we will be rooting for you this season and beyond.'
Calls and emails by The Associated Press to Lee Hutton III, Burns' attorney, have not been returned.
Burns was 1-23 in two seasons at Kent State. The team went 0-12 last season, the fifth winless season in school history. Before arriving at Kent State, Burns was the running backs coach at Minnesota.
Offensive coordinator Mark Carney will serve as the interim coach for the upcoming season with a national search taking place at the end of the year.
Kent State opens its season on Aug. 30 against Merrimack, a Football Championship Subdivision foe.
The Golden Flashes schedule gets more difficult after that, including road games against Texas Tech (Sept. 6), Florida State (Sept. 20) and Oklahoma (Oct. 4).
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