Entering 2020-21: 3rd year
Alma Mater: Univ. of Louisville ('11)
Office Phone: 270-789-5111
Email: bburns@campbellsville.edu
Updated: December 2019
On Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018 head coach Perry Thomas announced the hiring of Bobby Burns to take over as the defensive backs coach for the Tigers.
In 2019, Burns seen his secondary get rewarded as Marcus McCants picked up All-MSC Honors. Coach seen McCants and Harper both pick off two passes this season. McCants was also the second leading tackler on the team with 42 solos and 34 assisted tackles.
As a unit, the defensive backs recorded 10 interceptions, broke-up 50 passes and defended 60 passes in the 2018 season under Burns. BJay Pelt led the way with five interceptions while also added nine pass break-ups and 14 passes defended. Marcus McCants was the leading tackler in the secondary with 40 solo tackles and 28 assisted tackles on his way to earning All Mid-South Conference Bluegrass Division honors and All-NCCAA.
Burns is familiar to Kentucky as he played cornerback at University of Louisville for two seasons. During his time at Louisville, he earned Big East Athletic Academic Honors in both 2009 and 2010.
Prior to coming to Campbellsville, Burns coached for one season at Langston University. In the spring season, he coached the wide receiving core for the Lions and transitioned to coaching the defensive backs in the fall.
During his time at Langston, Burns helped the Lions to a 10-1 mark and an appearance into the NAIA Football Championship Series. Langston also won the Central States Football League regular-season title with an 8-0 conference mark.
The Lions defense was one of the best in the NAIA last season as they led the nation with a passing defense efficiency of 95.2. The secondary also surrendered just 168.5 passing yards per game and the defense allowed 17.3 points per game, ranking sixth and fourth in the NAIA, respectively.
Along with coaching the defensive backs at Langston, he created passing game scouting reports on the Lion opponents. Burns also recruited within different areas throughout central and western United States.
Before starting his collegiate coaching career at Langston, he coached the defensive backs at Mercer Island High School in Washington during the 2016 season. In 2012 and 2013, Burns started coaching at Spanaway Lake High School in Washington.
Burns' playing career included two seasons at Louisville and two seasons at Butte College. At Butte, Burns helped the Roadrunners to a 12-0 mark and a national title at the junior college level during his sophomore campaign.
During the 2009 season for the Cardinals, Burns played in 10 games for Louisville, which was highlighted by a four-tackle game against UConn, where he also recorded an interception.
In 2010, Burns finished his senior campaign with 37 total tackles, including a Louisville-career-high eight tackles against Pittsburgh. He helped lead the Cards to the Beef O' Brady Bowl in St. Petersburg, Fla. where Louisville defeated Southern Mississippi, 31-28. He graduated from Louisville in the fall of 2011.
