Ron Burton (linebacker)
| Sport(s) | Football |
|---|---|
| Current position | |
| Title | Defensive line coach |
| Team | Michigan State |
| Conference | Big Ten |
| Biographical details | |
| Born |
May 2, 1964 Highland Springs, Virginia |
| Playing career | |
| 1982-1986 | North Carolina |
| 1987-1989 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1989 | Phoenix Cardinals |
| 1990 | Los Angeles Raiders |
| Position(s) |
Defensive Line Linebacker |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1992-1993 | North Carolina (GA) |
| 1994 | Morehead State (DB) |
| 1995-1996 | Eastern Michigan (LB) |
| 1997-2001 | Indiana (LB) |
| 2002 | Grand Valley State (DL) |
| 2003-2012 | Air Force (DL) |
| 2013-present | Michigan State (DL) |
Ron Burton (born May 2, 1964) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, Phoenix Cardinals and Los Angeles Raiders. He is the current defensive line coach for Michigan State Spartans football.[1]
Early life
Burton attended Highland Springs High School, where he was an all-state, all-district and all-region selection as an outside linebacker. He was named the prep player of the year in 1982. He also practiced basketball.
College career
Burton accepted a football scholarship from the University of North Carolina. He was a four-year letterman at defensive end (1982–86) and made three bowl appearances. He became a starter as a junior. He was named the team's captain and best defensive lineman as a senior. His eight sacks during the 1986 season presently tie him for seventh on UNC's single-season sack list.
He finished his college career with 161 tackles and 15 sacks. He graduated in 1987 with a degree in Industrial relations.
Professional career
Burton was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 1987 NFL Draft and was converted into an outside linebacker. As a rookie, he led the team with 19 special teams tackles. He started 2 of the last 3 games at middle linebacker because of injuries to Eugene Lockhart, finishing with 29 tackles. In the season finale against the St. Louis Cardinals Cardinals, he posted 17 tackles, 3 passes defensed and one forced fumble.
In 1988, he was named the starter at left outside linebacker, recording 74 tackles, 2 sacks, 5 passes defensed and one forced fumble. In 1989, he started 3 games, tallying 14 tackles and one interception, before being released on October 16.
On October 21, 1989, he was signed by the Phoenix Cardinals and played in 10 games.
On April 2, 1990, he was signed as a free agent by the Los Angeles Raiders. He played in 5 games before being lost for the year with a knee injury he suffered against the Buffalo Bills.[2] The team would go on to reach the 1990 AFC Championship Game. On July 13, 1991, he was released because of a knee injury.[3]
Coaching career
Early career (1992-2001)
After spending two seasons as a graduate assistant for the North Carolina Tar Heels, Burton took his first full-time assistant coaching position at Morehead State University in 1994. He worked with the defensive backs for one season and then went to Eastern Michigan Eagles football, where he served two seasons as the linebackers coach.
He was the linebackers coach at Indiana Hoosiers football for five seasons (1997-01) where he was responsible for the development of two Butkus Award nominees, Justin Smith and Jabar Robinson.
Burton was the defensive line coach at Grand Valley State Lakers football and helped the school to the NCAA Division II national championship in 2002, the first in school history. GVSU was a perfect 14-0 in Burton's first season at the school.
Air Force
Burton spent 10 seasons as the Defensive Line Coach for the Air Force Academy (2003-2012). 2011's inexperienced group at the beginning of the season became a strength with multiple freshmen playing significant snaps. In 2010, he led Rick Ricketts to an all-conference year and defensive most valuable player honors in the Independence Bowl. In 2009, Burton led senior Ben Garland to all-conference honors and a free agent signing with the Denver Broncos in the NFL. In 2007, defensive end Jake Paulson was a first-team all-conference choice.
Michigan State
On February 8, 2013, Burton was hired as the Defensive Line Coach for Michigan State University.[4][5]
Personal
A native of Highland Springs, Virginia, Burton and his wife, Andrea, have four children, Ronald, Ryan, Roya and Reid. He also has two younger brothers Tony and Daryl.
References
- ↑ Gillian Van Stratt (August 13, 2013). "Watch the always animated Michigan State coach Ron Burton coach up the defensive line at fall camp". www.mlive.com. MLive Media Group. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ↑ "Injured Burton Replaced by Hunley". Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ↑ "Defensive End Mike Wise a No-Show". Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ↑ "Ron Burton Named Defensive Line Coach". msuspartans.com. Michigan State University. February 8, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ↑ Chris Vannini (February 8, 2013). "Ron Burton named MSU defensive line coach". www.theonlycolors.com. SB Nation. Retrieved January 13, 2018.