Tanner Burns

SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR OLE MISS, ’12

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

2019-PRESENT – LIBERTY (ST COORD.) 2014-18 – ARKANSAS (QUALITY CONTROL FOR SPECIAL TEAMS) 2013 – OAKLAND RAIDERS (NFL INTERN–SPECIAL TEAMS) EDUCATION: BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN GENERAL STUDIES (OLE MISS, ’12) WIFE: BECCA CHILDREN: BLAKELY

HOMETOWN: KANSAS CITY, MO.

Tanner Burns made the most of his coaching debut in 2019, helping the Flames during their first full season at the FBS level to a bowl game win as Liberty’s Special Teams Coordinator. Following the Flames winning their second consecutive bowl game in 2020, Burns took on additional coaching responsibilities when he started working with Liberty’s outside linebackers. Prior to coming to Liberty, Burns was familiar with the coaching role, having served as the quality control staff member for special teams at Arkansas for the last five seasons (2014-18). Burns coached punter Toby Baker, a Ray Guy Award nominee in 2015 and 2016 and a Burlsworth Trophy semifinalist in 2016. Baker averaged 43.0 yards per punt across 27 games for the Razorbacks, boomed 27 punts of at least 50 yards, and 45 of his attempts landed inside the 20-yard line. In 2018, Connor Limpert was named to the Phil Steele Postseason SEC All-Conference third team after he knocked down 19-of-24 field goal attempts and was a perfect 29-of-29 on extra point attempts. The Razorbacks also led the SEC in net punting average at 41.8 yards in 2016 and ranked No. 29 in the country in kickoff returns in 2018 (23.04 yards per return). After graduating from Ole Miss in 2012 with a general studies major with minors in history, sociology, and parks and rec management, Burns spent the 2013 as a special teams intern with the Oakland Raiders. As a team, Oakland ranked second in the AFC and tied for third in the NFL with an average of 47.8 yards per punt.

FLAMES FLASHBACK: 2019 AND 2020 SEASON REVIEW

• Burns’ special teams units have played a vital role in Liberty winning back-to-back FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl titles in 2019 and 2020. • With the pair of Cure Bowl victories, Liberty became the second FBS transitioning team in NCAA history to win consecutive bowl games during its first two full seasons at the FBS level. • Liberty’s special teams units had several key moments during the 2020 season, helping Liberty to a 10-1 record and a No. 17 ranking in the final Associated Press poll, its highest end-of-the-year national ranking in program history. • Kicker Alex Barbir nailed a 51-yard field goal at the end of regulation to secure a 38-35 win over Virginia Tech, the Flames’ second win in 2020 over an ACC program. • Elijah James blocked a 42-yard field goal attempt by No. 9/11 Coastal Carolina in overtime, allowing Liberty to claim its second Cure Bowl win with a thrilling 38-35 upset win over the Chanticleers. • Liberty finished the 2020 season ranked No. 23 in the country in punt returns (11.07 yards per return). • Three of Liberty’s 16 players named to the 2020 Phil Steele FBS Independent All-Conference team were special teams players: Barbir, kick returner Shedro Louis, and punt returner Demario Douglas. • Douglas was named to the 2020 Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Freshman All-America Team after finishing the year ranked No. 9 in the country in punt return average (11.1 yards per return). • Under Burns’ guidance, Louis and kicker Alex Probert were two of the 11 Liberty players named to the 2019 Phil Steele FBS Independent All-Conference teams. • Liberty finished the 2019 season ranked No. 19 in the country in kickoff returns (24.25 yards per return) and No. 40 in kickoff return defense (19.48 yards allowed per return). • Louis individually ranked No. 12 in the country in kickoff returns for a touchdown (1), No. 13 in kickoff returns (27.6 yards per return), and No. 20 in combined kick returns (657 yards)