**Title:** Kent State Coach Kenni Burns Involved in Loan Controversy
**Meta Description:** Former Kent State coach Kenni Burns faces scrutiny after receiving over $100,000 in loans from a booster, raising ethical concerns.
**URL Slug:** kent-state-coach-kenni-burns-loan-controversy
**Headline:** Investigation Reveals Loan Controversy Surrounding Former Kent State Coach Kenni Burns
Former Kent State University head football coach Kenni Burns has come under investigation for accepting over $100,000 in loans from a booster, who also served as a vendor for the school. Burns was placed on administrative leave in March and subsequently fired on April 11, with the university not publicly disclosing the reasons for these actions.
An independent investigation conducted by an external law firm revealed that Burns received six figures in loans from Michael Awad, as reported by the Akron Beacon Journal. The loans commenced in 2023, following a personal crisis in which Burns experienced flooding in his home and faced financial difficulties due to an unsold property in Minnesota. Burns began repaying the $109,000 in loans on Halloween 2023, settling the debt with nine checks over a span of 14 months. Notably, there was no evidence indicating that Burns paid any interest on these loans.
In addition to the loans, Awad assisted Burns in opening a credit card account with Hometown Bank. However, in 2024, Burns failed to meet the minimum payment requirements and exceeded the credit limit, resulting in a lawsuit from the bank. This legal matter was resolved once Burns settled his outstanding balance.
The loans received by Burns may have breached state ethics laws, which prohibit state employees from accepting benefits from boosters. Burns was appointed as head coach prior to the 2023 season but struggled to achieve success, with the team recording a dismal 1-23 record during his tenure and failing to secure a victory against any Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams. Kent State currently holds the longest active losing streak in NCAA Division I football.
As the situation unfolds, the implications of Burns’ actions and the university’s response will likely continue to attract attention within the sports community.
**FAQ Section:**
**Q: What led to Kenni Burns’ firing from Kent State?**
A: Kenni Burns was placed on administrative leave and later fired following an investigation into his acceptance of over $100,000 in loans from a booster, which may have violated state ethics laws.
