Sport(s) Football 1970 Montana State (DB) Conference Conference USA 1969 Colorado State (GA) Role Coach | 1967–1968 Sterling HS (KS) Name Leon Burtnett 1965–1966 Mt. Hope HS (KS) 1971 Washington State (DB) | |
 | ||
Born May 30, 1943 (age 80)
Meade, Kansas ( 1943-05-30 ) Team Montana Grizzlies football | ||
Leon Burtnett (born May 30, 1943) is a former American football coach. He served as the head football coach at Purdue University from 1982 to 1986, compiling a record of 21–34–1.
In November 1981, Burtnett was promoted as Purdue's 30th head football coach. During the 1984 campaign, Burtnett's team posted its best season, in which the highlight of the year was beating number 2 Ohio State 28–23. The 1984 squad's 7–4 record earned Burtnett the Big Ten Coach of the Year, leading the Boilermakers to the Peach Bowl His success that year earned him a contract extension through 1990. Burtnett's teams didn't improve after 1984, and after a 3–8 season in 1986, Burtnett resigned as head coach.
Burtnett has been an assistant coach for several schools, including Washington State University, San Jose State University, Michigan State University, Montana State University, Fresno State University, Colorado State University, Northeast Louisiana University, and Arkansas State University. In addition, Burtnett was an assistant under Ron Meyer with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL).
Coaching tree
Assistant coaches under Leon Burtnett who became NCAA head coaches: