Football High school After he served as an assistant coach at
Denfeld High School in
Duluth, Minnesota in 1922 and as head coach for two seasons at Clio High School in
Clio, Alabama, Burnum began his five-year tenure with the Tuscaloosa High School Black Bears in 1925. In the season prior to his arrival, the Black Bears went winless; however, from 1925 through 1929 Burnum led Tuscaloosa to an overall record of 42 wins, zero losses and one tie (42–0–1). With his only blemish having been a 7–7
tie against
Cullman High School in the final game of the 1925 season, Burnum led the Black Bears to four consecutive, undefeated seasons. In addition to his undefeated record and later recognition as state champions, both the 1926 and 1929 teams were later selected as the winner of the
High School Football National Championship. Burnum also was known for having scheduled a series of intersectional games against other to high school teams of the period. These games included victories over
Senn High School of Chicago in 1926, Lakeland High School in 1927,
McKinley Technology High School of Washington, D.C. in 1928 and
University City High School of
University City, Missouri in 1929. He was personally hired by University President
George H. Denny and was paid a salary of $4,000 ($ in dollars) for an initial contract of five years. During his tenure, Burnum was known for his recruiting abilities and some of the players he helped bring to Alabama included
Bear Bryant,
Don Hutson,
Dixie Howell and
Joe Domnanovich. Burnum later resigned from his position with the Crimson Tide in February 1944. During the season, Burnum led the Crimson Tide to a 41–32
upset victory over
Adolph Rupp's
Kentucky Wildcats at
Foster Auditorium.
Head coaching record Baseball In March 1943, Burnum was named head baseball coach for the Crimson Tide. The 1943 squad only had five returning lettermen that were part of the previous seasons SEC Championship team.
Head coaching record ==Later life==