Miami Ohio University Athletics
Burton Mentored by Greats on Path to Coaching Career
2/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
Feb. 15, 2008
By Danielle Hacet, Miami University Media Relations Student Assistant
Tirrel Burton grew up watching Miami Athletics. When it came time to go to college, after being in the military for three and a half years, Miami seemed like the right fit for Burton. At the time, Ara Parseghian was Miami's head football coach and recruited Burton to play for him.
"He had tremendous speed and we were anxious to have him," Parseghian said. "He could break the line. That's what every coach looks for."
As a halfback, Burton led Parseghian's 1955 undefeated team in rushing, scoring, interceptions, kickoff returns, and punt returns. He also helped Miami capture two MAC titles.
Burton juggled his time between football and track while playing for Miami for three years.
He said managing his time between the two sports wasn't an issue for him.
"Balancing track and football was not a problem. I loved both sports," he said.
At the time Burton was on Miami's teams, there was anywhere from four to ten black players on either football or track teams.
"Being on an athletic team in the 50's was not about being black, it was about being a TEAM," Burton said. "Our undefeated football team turned down a bowl game because southern bowls wanted no black players."
What Burton didn't know was that he would go on to become Miami's first black coach. What he did know was that he wanted to become a coach because of Ara Parseghian.
"Ara Parseghian was a great coach, ahead of his time as a teacher of all aspects of football," Burton said. "Because of him, I wanted to be a coach."
Burton studied physical education and graduated with a master's degree in education from Miami in 1962. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles and eventually played for the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League.
However, his passion was teaching and coaching. He spent nine years as a teacher and coach in the Cincinnati school system as well as one year as an assistant coach at Central State.
When Bill Mallory was hired as Miami's football coach in 1969, he brought Burton along to coach with him.
"I'd known him back when we were students," said Mallory. The two played together on the team and had stayed friends.
"I always had great respect for him. He was a darn good coach," Mallory said. "I knew he'd be the kind of person I would want on my staff. I knew he would be a good teacher of the game."
Burton was honored to come back and coach at Miami. "College football is more demanding and time-consuming than high school, but no less enjoyable," Burton said.
"I loved Miami and it's athletic tradition," Burton said.
Mallory said that Burton would make a great role model for his players and that he was a quality individual. Parseghian agreed.
"He was a first-class citizen," Parseghian said. "He had all the characteristics you would want in a player." Parseghian also said that Burton was a gentleman and was never involved in any trouble.
After only one year at Miami, Burton went to Michigan to coach under Bo Schembechler. "I left Miami to coach at Michigan because of the challenge and an upward move in the profession," Burton said.
Burton coached at Michigan from 1970 to 1991 as an offensive assistant coach. Burton said coaching under Schembechler was a huge honor.
"Bo Schembechler was a great coach. He was from the same mold as Ara [Parseghian]," Burton said. "Bo was demanding of his coaches and his players. I learned most of what I know about football from Bo."
Mallory said Burton was the kind of person you would be affiliated with.
"He was really well respected," Mallory said.
