Former Kent State football coach Kenni Burns was fired for violating school policies, including conflicts of interest, code of conduct breaches, and concerning card expenses. Burns was placed on administrative leave two weeks prior to his termination following a university investigation.
The termination letter obtained by The Athletic cited dishonesty in Burns' duties and bringing the school into public disrepute. Despite his attorney stating that Burns had reconciled his card purchases with Kent State, the former coach's firing was not accompanied by a clear reason. During his tenure, Kent State had a 1-23 record, with their sole victory being against an FCS program in 2023.
Offensive coordinator Mark Carney will serve as interim coach for the 2025 season, with the university planning to conduct a national search for a permanent replacement. Burns, who was put on paid leave in March, expressed gratitude for the relationships formed with players, coaches, and staff in a social media post following his termination.