Burns’ new challenge
Former Troy coach keeps goals the same at CBA
Coaching salaries in college and pro football are lucrative enough to pry even the most loyal mentor away from a beloved assignment. When it comes to high school athletics, the figures made coaching could never solely snatch anyone away, so there would have to be a more profound reason to shift to another destination. Christian Brothers Academy provided the proper incentive for Bobby Burns two months ago to leave his coaching position.
Burns, a Lansingburgh graduate who enjoyed a long stint working his way up the Troy High football coaching tree to eventually guide the Flying Horses to impressive results upon landing the head job in 2015, decided not long after leading his team to a Section II Class A title in April to take the same position at CBA. That coaching job, coupled with a full-time teaching job at the school after teaching at a Catholic elementary school for 20 years, was an opportunity too compelling to turn down.
“It was too sweet of an offer to pass up,” Burns said.
Monday, Burns and the Brothers began preparing for the 2021 season as teams in Section II and around the state return to a fall season after the 2020 campaign was conducted during a Fall Season II slate held in March and April because of concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. CBA just installed a new turf field last week, but the team practiced at Afrim’s on opening day because of the heavy rain expected throughout the day.
“I knew the administration and the alumni base would be extremely supportive to getting the football program where it used to be. Hopefully, I can bring it to new heights,” Burns said. “They have invested a lot of money into the facilities . ... It is going to be a challenge and something I am really looking forward to.”
Joe Burke, who led CBA to the Section II Class AA title in 2014, stepped down in May. Landing Burns as Burke’s replacement is the most talked-about hire in Section II leading into the 2021-22 scholastic year.
In six seasons as head coach at Troy, Burns compiled a glossy 58-4 record that featured five sectional title-game appearances, three Section II championships and back-toback Class AA state crowns in 2016 and 2017 when the Flying Horses finished 13-0 each time. Not only did Burns depart Troy, he also brought along several assistant coaches with him — most notably offensive line coach Jim Canfield and versatile coach Sam Marro, a pair of highly respected additions any team in the area would love to acquire.
Troy football has produced three undefeated seasons in school history. All three happened under Burns’ guidance with the latest edition coming in the Fall Season II season just completed. The Flying Horses cruised to the Section II Class A championship with resounding playoff wins over Queensbury (48-0) and Burnt Hills (50-3).
CBA won its first two games via shutout, then dropped its final four contests. Burns is thrilled about the talent he sees and is not about to alter the lofty goals he wants his newest charges to achieve.
“For me, the word ‘rebuild’ has never entered my mind. That is not what I am doing here,” Burns said. “My firstday meeting with the kids was their last day of school. I said it would be a disservice to the seniors if I said we are going to try to rebuild this thing. I am not interested in rebuilding anything. I think there is a great deal of talent here and my expectations are to hit the ground running and try to win every football game.
“The biggest hurdle for kids 15, 16, 17 and 18 years old is for them believing they can be great.”
Burns just completed a 10-week summer program, the longest such stint he has done during his career. Naturally, he wanted to get more acclimated with his new players and for them to understand the standards and commitment he expects.
Even though he is ready and eager to start the next chapter in his coaching career, Burns said the decision to leave Troy for CBA was hardly pain-free.
“Troy is my home. I live here and my two sons are still going to the high school,” Burns said. “I am a life-long Troy resident. I cut my teeth coaching under a couple of different guys. Obviously, coach (Jack) Burger is a significant influence of everything I do to this day.”