Burno hired as NIU coach
Former DePaul standout was assistant under Donovan, Hurley
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Rashon Burno, who played at DePaul two decades ago, was named the Northern Illinois men’s basketball coach, the school announced Saturday.
Burno spent the last six seasons as an Arizona State assistant under coach Bobby Hurley. Burno replaces Mark Montgomery, who went 124-170 in 10 seasons at NIU before he was fired in January.
“I am extremely excited about this opportunity,” Bruno said in an NIU release. “I believe I am aligned with what their vision is for the future, not only for men’s basketball but also for the entire student body. I was very impressed with the overall vision, and that made it easy for me to want to be at NIU.”
Burno, 43, has been part of successful staffs as he has worked his way up to a head coaching job.
He was named in 2016 an associated head coach at Arizona State under Hurley, helping guide the Sun Devils to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2018 and 2019. He was on Bulls coach Billy Donovan’s staff at Florida, helping lead the Gators to the Elite Eight in 2013 and Final Four in 2014.
Burno worked as an assistant coach at Manhattan College in 2011-12 after starting his collegiate coaching career at Towson in 2010-11. Burson began as the head coach at Marmion Academy in Aurora from 2007-10.
“When we started this process, it was about the right fit and matching up with our core values at NIU,” athletic director Sean Frazier said in the release. “Rashon Burno brings significant
experience within Illinois, Chicagoland and other basketball powerhouse regions. This is vital in growing the NIU basketball brand.
“I am extremely excited by his level of professionalism and overall basketball pedigree. He has matured quickly in the coaching circles, and we feel that his time is now to take NIU men’s basketball to
the next level.”
As a DePaul player, Burno was named to the 2001 Conference USA AllTournament team and ranks third in program history with 201 steals and sixth with 439 assists. Burno helped the Blue Demons to the NCAA Tournament in 2001 and NIT in 2000.
Burno also played for Bob Hurley Sr. at St. Anthony’s High School in Jersey City, N.J., winning high school national championships in 1996 and ’97.