Former Kent State Coach Kenni Burns took over $ 100,000 in loans from a booster, according to a study.
This booster was also a school provider. Burns was placed on administrative leave in March and was fired on April 11.
Kent State never publicly gave a reason why Burns were placed on administrative leave or fired.
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File – Kent State Golden flashes head coach Kenni Burns during the game against Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 14, 2014. (Randy Sartin-Preferred Pictures)
An independent investigation from an external law firm found that Burns had received six figures in loans from Michael Awad, according to Akron Beacon Journal.
The loans began in 2023, after Burns said his house was flooded and fought financially because he had not sold his home in Minnesota. Burns started paying $ 109,000 in loans he had borrowed on Halloween 2023, and paid them with nine checks over 14 months, according to the investigation.
There was no evidence that Burns paid interest on the loans.
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Kent State Golden flashes head coach Kenni Burns responds from the sidelines during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on September 21, 2024. (Matthew O’Haren-Preferred Pictures)
While Burns received the loans from Awad, Awad helped him open a credit card with Hometown Bank. By 2024, Burns failed to make minimum payments and exceeded the credit card’s limit and was sued by the bank, according to Akron Beacon Journal.
The bank’s case against Burns was settled when the former Kent State coach had paid what he owed.
The loans that burned received could have violated the state’s ethical laws, which prevent state employees from receiving benefits from boosters.
Kent State Coach Kenni Burns responds to a spectacle in the first half against Miami at Dix Stadium on Saturday 30 September 2023 in Kent, Ohio. (IMagn)
Burns was hired by Kent State ahead of the 2023 season and as little success as a head coach. The team went 1-23 during his tenure and they did not have a win over an FBS team.
Kent State has the longest active losing series in the NCAA Division in football.
