Keith Burns, the head football coach here at FWCD, represents the true definition of love for the game. Since first touching a football in third grade, he has experienced both the difficulties and triumphs of being an athlete, and connects with his current players through their shared experiences. Coaching across all levels, from high school to the NFL, Burns has learned the significance of not only making your players into better athletes, but into better people.
Burns was an emerging talent in his position. At L.D. Bell High School, in Hurst, Texas, he learned to develop his talent as a quarterback and a safety into something even more powerful; he transformed his raw potential into mastery by both learning and playing the game with considerable discipline.
After such hard work, Burns received a scholarship to play for the University of Arkansas. During his collegiate career he did not only discover his passion for coaching, but also the importance of commitment to both yourself and your team.
The use of the words, commitment, and discipline became frequent throughout his interview.
“I think there are two traits that you have to have, the commitment to strive to be your best for yourself and your teammates, and the discipline. That’s the part of the game where it’s not only what you do on the field, but also how you live off of it,” Burns said.
Burns emphasized how these two key characteristics are absolutely paramount for a person’s success, not only in your sport but out of it as well. The most talented players Burns has coached embodied these traits, choosing to put the extra work in and putting others before themselves.
As a Country Day legend himself, Burns has also developed under the tenure of some of the most decorated football “legends”. During his coaching and athletic career, he worked and played for seven hall of fame coaches.
Burns spoke of John Robinson’s, the Los Angeles Rams coach, influence on his current coaching style. As the winningest coach in the Rams’ history and gaining three national championships at USC, Burns said there isn’t a better word to describe Robinson other than legendary.
“He just treated people right. He treated his players as someone more important than their jersey,” said Burns.
Despite his luck with Robinson, Burns encountered quite a few difficulties while working with some coaches. These men instilled in him the values he didn’t want to incorporate into his coaching philosophy.
“I learned more from the bad coaches than I did from the good ones, because I just didn’t want to follow in their footsteps,” said Burns.
He brought both his intensity and fire from his time at Arkansas into his approach to coaching. No matter the game, the team, or the score, Burns’ goal is to win. He attributed much of his success to his fervency, while also mentioning that there is a time and a place to express such passion.
The seniors that Burns coached these past four years also obtained this same enthusiasm. The Falcons went 7-2 this season, and reached the SPC championship, only coming up short to the Oakridge Owls. Burns expressed how they took the bull by the horns this year, really pushing the team to their full potential.
The Battle of Bryant Irving, Burns said, is one of the most intense games he has experienced. The rivalry and the student body truly make the atmosphere under the Friday night lights feel electric.
“The Trinity Valley game is one of the biggest games I have ever coached in. Both teams play really hard and it’s very well coached. That would definitely go down as one of my favorite wins,” said Burns.
Before every game, Burns receives a text message. His high school football coach, still to this day, reaches out to send words of encouragement to Burns before he heads to the field. This coach developed a true sense of self within his players, and Burns hopes to instill the same virtues within his players as well.
“I want my guys to be model citizens, on campus and in the classroom. You know, it goes way beyond just wins and losses to me, and that’s why I love this job so much,” said Burns.
Burns’ career is nothing short of remarkable. He has coached in over twenty five bowl games, the NFL, and has shaped talented players like Charles Woodson into something truly extraordinary.
“I’ve been really blessed. For me, coaching has brought me a lot of satisfaction, because you’re taking a guy who may or may not be the most skilled and pushing him to be the best he can be,” said Burns.
