Ron Burton (linebacker)

Ronald Leon Burton (born May 2, 1964) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Phoenix Cardinals and Los Angeles Raiders. He most recently was the defensive tackles coach for Michigan State University. He played college football at the University of North Carolina.

Early years
Burton attended Highland Springs High School, where he was an all-state, all-district and all-region selection as an outside linebacker. He was named the prep player of the year in 1982. He also practiced basketball.

College career
Burton accepted a football scholarship from the University of North Carolina. He was a four-year letterman at defensive end (1982–86) and made three bowl appearances. He became a starter as a junior.

He was named the team's captain and best defensive lineman as a senior in 1986. His eight sacks during the season at the time tied him for seventh on the school's single-season record list.

He finished his college career with 161 tackles and 15 sacks. He graduated in 1987 with a degree in Industrial relations.

Professional career
Burton was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent after the 1987 NFL Draft, he dropped in the draft because he was seen as undersized to play on the defensive line. He was converted into a linebacker during training camp. As a rookie, he led the team with 19 special teams tackles. He started 2 of the last 3 games at middle linebacker because of injuries to Eugene Lockhart, finishing with 29 tackles. In the season finale against the St. Louis Cardinals Cardinals, he posted 17 tackles, 3 passes defensed and one forced fumble.

In 1988, he was named the starter at left outside linebacker over an injured Mike Hegman. He recorded 74 tackles (seventh on the team), 2 sacks, 5 passes defensed, one forced fumble and 11 special teams tackles. In 1989, he started 3 games, tallying 14 tackles, one interception, one pass defensed and 2 special teams tackles before being released on October 16.

On October 21, 1989, he was signed as a free agent by the Phoenix Cardinals. He appeared in 10 games as a backup linebacker.

On April 2, 1990, he was signed as a free agent by the Los Angeles Raiders. He played in 5 games before being lost for the year with a knee injury he suffered against the Buffalo Bills. The team would go on to reach the 1990 AFC Championship Game. On July 13, 1991, he was released because of a knee injury.

Early years (1992-2001)
After spending two seasons as a graduate assistant for the University of North Carolina, Burton took his first full-time assistant coaching position at Morehead State University in 1994. He worked with the defensive backs for one season and then went to Eastern Michigan University, where he served two seasons as the linebackers coach.

He was the linebackers coach at the Indiana University for five seasons (1997-01) where he was responsible for the development of two Butkus Award nominees, Justin Smith and Jabar Robinson.

Burton was the defensive line coach at Grand Valley State University and helped the school to the NCAA Division II national championship in 2002, the first in school history. GVSU was a perfect 14–0 in Burton's first season at the school.

Air Force
Burton spent 10 seasons as the Defensive Line Coach for the Air Force Academy (2003-2012). He contributed to the school's 67-57 (.540) winning record and a school record six consecutive bowl appearances (2007–12).

The 2011's inexperienced group at the beginning of the season became a strength with multiple freshmen playing significant snaps. In 2010, he led Rick Ricketts to an all-conference year and defensive most valuable player honors in the Independence Bowl. In 2009, Burton led senior Ben Garland to all-conference honors and a free agent signing with the Denver Broncos in the NFL. In 2007, defensive end Jake Paulson was a first-team all-conference choice.

Michigan State
On February 8, 2013, Burton was hired as the Defensive Line Coach for Michigan State University. He was named the defensive tackles assistant coach in 2017. He received the FootballScoop National Defensive Line Coach of the Year Award twice (2013 and 2018). He contributed to the school winning the Big Ten Championship and the Rose Bowl in 2013. On February 14, 2020, it was reported that Burton was leaving Michigan State to join Indiana as the new defensive line coach after Mark Dantonio retired as Michigan State head coach. Later, on February 15, 2020, it was announced that Burton would remain at Michigan State as defensive line coach on new head coach Mel Tucker's staff.

Personal life
A native of Highland Springs, Virginia, Burton and his wife, Andrea, have four children, Ronald, Ryan, Roya and Reid. He also has two younger brothers Tony and Daryl.