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Iowa State University Athletics
Burnhams Back Together Again
02.27.2009 | Football
AMES, Iowa ? Shane Burnham never had a chance. The new Iowa State defensive tackles coach grew up around his father Wally, the Cyclones' new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Wherever his father went, Shane was there. Shane even had the opportunity to play for his father at South Carolina. Now they will get the chance to coach together.
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“I had about given up hope of coaching together, dad's career looked pretty settled and I had not been able to get on with him at South Florida,” Shane Burnham said. “Dad had done about all a coach can. He had played for Bear Bryant, coached on a national championship team (Florida State, 1993) and made a name with defenses that were effective against the spread offenses that today dominate college football.”
Given his achievements, the fact that Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads pursued Wally Burnham was not a surprise. Wally Burnham's track record as a defensive wizard was well documented. His South Florida defense helped the Bulls rise among the nation's collegiate football programs. Rhoads held one defense position open so the new defensive coordinator could express input for the last hire.
“As a former coordinator, I fully appreciate the importance of the transition for a new staff,” Rhoads said. “Wally had input, but ultimately, Shane was hired on his merits.”
For Shane Burnham, the education began early. He grew up hanging around Florida State practices with his father, a Seminole assistant coach when the FSU program was at his zenith in the early 1990s under Bobby Bowden.
“I was a young guy who loved being around the program as much as possible,” Shane Burnham said. “I had fun hanging out with some of the all-time great players of Florida State. I even visited them in the dormitory during pre-season drills when I was little.”
Shane Burnham was a very good high school player, but playing at Florida State would be a tall order. The younger Burnham enrolled at South Carolina and played linebacker where his father was a coach. Both Burnhams were good catches for the Gamecocks. Wally's schemes immediately improved the South Carolina defense, which ranked as high as 22nd nationally and was a key factor in getting the Gamecocks to the 1996 CARQUEST Bowl.
Shane Burnham went on to captain South Carolina's football team and earned academic all-conference honors three times.
If not for Rhoads, the Burnhams' last collaborative effort would have ended with their time at South Carolina. When Rhoads opened the door to working together at Iowa State, things came together quickly. Most recently, Shane Burnham was coaching at Elon, where he built a strong coaching and recruiting resume which was reflected in the success of Elon's football program.
“It was a whirlwind and came together in just a couple of days,” Shane Burnham said. “It will be great for our children to be around their grandparents and to have family close by.”
With both father and son having a strong track record as successful coaches, Cyclone fans welcome this family affair with open arms.
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