Former Kent State University football coach Kenni Burns has filed a lawsuit against the school and several administrators, claiming wrongful termination, contract violations, and defamation, ESPN reports.
Burns, who was dismissed in April 2025 following a disappointing 1-23 record across two seasons with the Golden Flashes, contends in his legal filing that the university orchestrated his termination as part of a scheme to reduce financial obligations.
The lawsuit names several defendants including Kent State president Todd Diacon, senior vice president for finance and administration Mark Polatajko, general counsel David Ochmann, and the university’s board of trustees.
The university terminated Burns following an administrative leave period, citing “personal, improper or unsubstantiated purchases on his school purchasing card” and investigating a substantial loan he received from a university booster, according to various media outlets.
Burns argues in his legal challenge that the school failed to provide adequate training on proper purchasing card procedures. He maintains he supplied receipts for questionable expenses and reimbursed the university more than $7,000 through a check that officials accepted and deposited.
The lawsuit details Burns’ financial difficulties while serving as head coach, including temporary housing costs due to flooding and the university’s failure to pay his complete salary on schedule.
These financial pressures led Burns to accept monetary assistance from booster and university vendor Mike Awad. Burns maintains this arrangement received approval from a university official, though Kent State’s internal investigation found “conflicting evidence” regarding whether proper disclosure occurred.
According to the legal filing, Burns received multiple monthly loans from Awad but repaid them with interest. The university’s investigation documented that Burns returned $109,000 to Awad through various payments spanning 14 months during 2023-24.
Regarding his dismissal, the lawsuit alleges the foundation was established in early 2024 during contract extension negotiations through 2028. A contract modification changed Burns’ termination compensation from a percentage of his total agreement (approximately $2 million) to a percentage of his base salary for the firing year (roughly $371,000).
“Upon information and belief, the ‘error’ in the First Amendment allowed Kent State’s plan to wrongfully terminate Kenni Burns’ to move forward, saving the University money by not having to comply with the buy-out terms of Kenni Burns’ original contract,” the lawsuit states.
The legal filing also claims that while Burns was on administrative leave, Ochmann approached him with an offer to accept payment and “quietly walk away.” Burns was reportedly given 24 hours to consider before being told the university would pursue termination for cause.
A Kent State spokesperson informed ESPN that the university does not provide comments regarding ongoing legal proceedings.
