University of South Dakota Athletics

Bob Burns was an outstanding athlete at South Dakota and , later an outstanding prep and collegiate football coach. Burns was a two-time all-North Central Conference performer, making the squad in 1940 and 1941. But unlike most others, who excel at one position, Burns was recognized as an all-league performer at two positions - fullback and quarterback. Burns was named all-conference as a fullback in 1940 and as a quarterback in 1941. A co-captain in 1941, he led USD to a 4-1 record in the NCC. He scored three touchdowns in a 26-6 win over Morningside and two more in a 26-0 win over South Dakota State on Hobo Days during the 1941 season. A native of Sioux City, Iowa, Burns attended Sioux City Central High. He was a Golden Gloves champion boxer in the light heavyweight class. During World War II, he was a paratrooper. After the war, he became a highly successful coach, starting at Yankton High in 1946. In two seasons at Yankton and eight years at Washington High School in Sioux Falls, Burns amassed a record of 71 wins, 11 losses, and four ties. He coached Augustana College for six years with a 28-20-2 record before serving as the head football coach as USD in 1962.