After two historically disastrous seasons on the field under Kenni Burns and controversy away from the playing surface, Kent State formally dismissed Burns last week -- two days after a FootballScoop report detailed how uncertainty had further hampered the program's murky future this spring.
On Tuesday, Kent State officials were forced to reveal the termination letter for the dismissal of Burns. The school said it terminated Burns with cause.
Per the school, the list of the violations that precipitated the dismissal of Burns included numerous ethics violations to feature 'Significant, repetitive and intentional violation (or pattern of conduct which may constitute or lead to a major violation), as determined by Kent State University's policies and procedures regarding your P-card expenditures, including violation fo the university's conflict of interest policy, code of conduct policy, violation's of Ohio's ethics laws; Dishonesty in the performance of the duties."
Featuring an image inside Tennessee's Neyland Stadium, Burns responded last week:
My family and I are saddened by the news today. 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,… pic.twitter.com/EPH7SwPHy1
— Kenni Burns (@CoachKenniBurns) April 11, 2025
More details of the school's letter of termination for Burns can be found here, as the school has announced that Mark Carney will serve as the interim head coach for the duration of the 2025 season.