When looking for the next man to lead its prized football program, West Point turned to someone who has been there all along and helped shape some of the Green Wave’s defensive lines into a consistent and formidable unit – Roger Burton.
He’s been a part of the program for 16 years and has also been the assistant head coach since 2013 as the program piled on eight state championships through that time, and now he’s excited to take the reins of a program that means everything to him.
“All of it’s a blessing from God and we have to give God the glory for his,” Burton said. “Give all the glory to the administration, the central office at the high school and all the principals, and Superintendent Dr. (Jermaine) Taylor, the athletic director Brad Cox, the assistant superintendent Kendall Pickens and Dr. (Tameka) Shannon at the high school. Just a phenomenal set of people, and I’m going to pour into the kids the most and I’m going to get the best I can from the players every day and make sure that we protect our brand of football that was created here by (former head coach) Chris Chambless. That’s my goal, that’s my weight now and my burden to carry. Any failures will fall on me, any success will be everybody else’s and that’s fine by me, because that’s the way it should be. The players are the most important and I’ll just give my all to them everyday.”
Burton’s 16 years at West Point span two stints with the program. The first was a short stint from 2008-2010 in which the team won back-to-back titles in two years. He left for a head coaching job at Hollandale Simmons and stayed for one year that concluded with an 8-5 record. He then took the head job at East Side in Cleveland, which has since merged with other schools to form Cleveland Central, for one season in 2012 and finished the year 14-1. Burton then returned to West Point in 2013 as assistant head coach and defensive line coach.
He replaces Brett Morgan, who took the same role at Starkville after a 17-year career with the Green Wave, the last two as head coach, but the longtime assistant brings in a 22-6 record as a head coach.
“I’m incredibly thankful to (Morgan and Chambless),” Burton said. “I’ve been here for the last six state championships and this last run we’re on. Our community is phenomenal. There’s no greater place in the world to coach than in West Point. I tell my kids everyday there’s no better place to play. I couldn’t be more honored and excited to be a part of this. It’s not about me, it’s about us. We’re going to do the best we can to continue the standard of ‘Refuse to lose,’ and ‘Tough people win,’ and make sure that we can put something on the field that West Point can be proud of.”
And don’t worry about the style of play; nothing is changing. That ground-and-pound physical run game and smash-mouth defense the Green Wave are known for isn’t going anywhere, Burton said.
“We will continue to run the ball on offense and be physical and protect the football,” he said. “We are going to align correctly on defense and tackle well, play a physical brand and be clean on special teams. We are going to play with the same discipline and execution that we’ve always played with.”
Burton, though, is stepping away from coaching the defensive line and will take on a more “administrative role” within the team.
“I’m going to have to hire a few guys, but I’m going to make sure they fit the West Point brand of coaches,” he said.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 38 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 38 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
