Football
- Title:
- Outside Receivers Coach | 8th Season
Rusty Burns joined the TCU football staff in February 2009 and moved into an offensive analyst role in March 2019.
During his time as outside receivers coach, the Horned Frogs’ offensive attack ranked among the nation’s best. The 2018 campaign saw Jalen Reagor earn All-Big 12 recognition as he set a TCU record with a touchdown catch in seven consecutive games. His 72 receptions and 1,061 receiving yards were both second for a single season in Horned Frogs' history.
In 2015, for the second straight year, TCU set school records in several major statistical categories. Additionally, the Horned Frogs ranked third nationally in total offense (562.8 yards per game) and seventh in scoring (42.1 points per game).
Under Burns’ guidance, Josh Doctson became the most prolific wide receiver in TCU history. Doctson earned unanimous consensus first-team All-America honors in 2015 while being a Biletnikoff Award finalist. He also received All-Big 12 recognition for the second straight season.
Doctson was a 2015 first-round draft pick by the Washington Redskins, while Kolby Listenbee was a sixth-round selection of the Buffalo Bills.
After serving his first three seasons as wide receivers coach, Burns was promoted to co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach prior to the 2012 campaign.
In Burns’ first two seasons with the Horned Frogs, TCU set school records for touchdowns, points scored, total offense and first downs.
As quarterbacks coach, Burns saw Casey Pachall become TCU’s all-time leader in completion percentage (62.9) while ranking third on the Horned Frogs’ career chart in completions (431), passing yards (5,415) and touchdown passes (42).
Burns helped tutor Josh Boyce, a 2013 fourth-round draft pick of the New England Patriots, into becoming one of the most prolific wide receivers in TCU history. In just three seasons, while earning his degree, Boyce became TCU’s career leader in touchdown catches with 22. His 2,535 receiving yards rank second, while his 161 career catches are third.
In 2010, Burns mentored Jeremy Kerley to a career-high 56 receptions. Kerley also tied Mike Renfro’s 1977 TCU record with 10 touchdown catches.
Kerley, a fifth-round draft pick of the New York Jets, and Jimmy Young received All-Mountain West honors.
In his first season with the Horned Frogs, four of TCU’s top-six receivers posted reception totals that surpassed their career totals entering the season. Three TCU receivers, Kerley, Antoine Hicks and Young, were named All-MW, while Ryan Christian continued his career professionally with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.
Prior to arriving at TCU, Burns spent four seasons (2004-07) as the offensive coordinator at SMU. The Mustangs set a school record with 29 touchdown passes in 2006, while their 325 points scored ranked third all-time in SMU history.
Burns has also been an offensive coordinator at Cincinnati (2002-03), Wyoming (1999-01), Memphis (1996-98), Connecticut (1980-88) and Springfield (1978-79).
At Cincinnati, Burns directed a record-setting offensive attack in 2002 that helped lead the Bearcats to the Conference USA championship. Cincinnati set school marks for passing yards (3,649 yards), total offense (5,565 yards) and points (409). The Bearcats led C-USA in passing (260.6) and total offense (397.5) per game.
It was Burns’ second stint at Cincinnati. He was the Bearcats’ quarterbacks coach from 1989-91. Burns also served three seasons (1992-94) as an assistant coach at Georgia Tech.
In his final year at Wyoming, Burns had the most improved offense in the Mountain West.
Burns is a 1978 graduate of Springfield College, where he played quarterback. He also has a master’s degree from Springfield. His first coaching position came at his alma mater as he served two seasons as offensive coordinator upon his graduation.
Burns has two daughters: Kelly and Kirsten.
