Michigan Names Burns First Men's Soccer Head Coach
9/28/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
| | Burns |
"We are excited to have someone of Steve Burns' background and ability to direct our move to varsity-level men's soccer," said Goss. "He has proven himself with the University's club team and will be a fine addition to the Michigan coaching family."
Burns has served as head coach for the Michigan men's club soccer team since 1993 after one year as assistant coach (1992). Under his guidance, Michigan has posted a 101-44-30 mark (.663 winning percentage) and made six consecutive appearances in the national club championship tournament. The team won back-to-back national championships in 1997 and 1998.
"Although I have spent the last decade pursuing this dream (coaching varsity collegiate soccer) with hard work and undaunted confidence, I truly feel fortunate to have been given this opportunity," said Burns. "I look forward with great pleasure to building a nationally competitive men's soccer program that enhances the athletic tradition and reputation of the University of Michigan."
Outside of his work with the University of Michigan club team, Burns is coach of the semi-professional Mid-Michigan Bucks in the Premier League of the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues, a position he has held for four seasons (1996-99). The Bucks compiled a 69-28-0 record during Burns' tenure, finishing as national finalists in 1996 and '97 and winning divisional titles in 1996, '97, '98 and '99. The team advanced to the round of 16 in the 1999 U.S. Open Cup, losing to the Tampa Bay Mutiny of Major League Soccer. Burns was named the USISL Premier League Coach of the Year in 1997.
Burns has been involved in the Olympic Development Program at the state of Michigan level (1995-98) and within ODP Region II since 1999. He has worked as a staff coach with the Ann Arbor Arsenal from the Ann Arbor Youth Soccer Association since 1994. Burns has been director/owner of the U-M Summer Soccer Camp for Boys since 1997.
Burns holds two degrees from the University of Michigan, a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering (1989) and a Master of Science degree in kinesiology (1998). He was a member of the Michigan club soccer team as an undergraduate (1984-88), serving as team captain from 1986-88. Burns played professionally for the Detroit Wheels in the USISL Professional Division in 1994 and 1995, captaining the 1995 squad.
A member of the U.S. Soccer Coaches Association and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, Burns is a United States Soccer Federation "A" License holder. Burns resides in Ann Arbor with his wife, Judy.
Contact: Bruce Madej (734) 763-4423
