Dale Burnett never wanted to be anything other than a coach.

“I never knew anything else,” he said in his office at Leeds Middle School, where he serves as alternative school director.  On the walls and windows are photos and newspaper clippings depicting the accomplishments of his former students during almost a quarter century of coaching.

Burnett achieved an accomplishment of his own this month, having been named Class 3A Assistant Coach of the Year by the Alabama Football Coaches’ Association.  He is the second Leeds coach to receive the annual award since 2010.

“There are so many guys who have been affected by Dale,” said Keith Etheredge, the Green Wave’s head coach.  “He coached my little brother.  You can’t stress the impact he’s had on so many kids.”

Burnett is in his 20th year at Leeds, having started his coaching career at Shades Valley after graduating from Samford University. 

Three major knee surgeries kept him from playing football at Samford, “but I was lucky enough to be able to switch sports and play Division I baseball.”

Burnett is a graduate of McAdory High School, where he was a teammate of Bo Jackson, although a bone transplant kept him from playing football there past his sophomore season.

At Leeds, he has coached football, basketball, and baseball and says he’s happy to have spent two decades with the Green Wave.

“I’m not one to move around and go from place to place.  I’m satisfied here.  We’ve had good seasons and bad seasons, but 78-18 the last seven years is a pretty major accomplishment.”

He remains modest about his recent accolade.

“It’s a heck of an award to be given, but I’m not so sure I’m so deserving.  It wouldn’t have been possible without the guys I work with or the kids that have come through here.”

According to Etheredge, Burnett often receives visits from former players.  “The kids always come back to see him.  He’s done so much for them, and he’s one of the best motivators I’ve ever been around.  I listen to him talk, and I’m ready to go out on the field and play.”

“I like to think I’ve played a small part in a lot of kids’ lives,” Burnett said.  “It’s all about helping kids, and it’s amazing to see what these Leeds teams have done against other teams that have more funding or better facilities.  That’s a motivating factor to us as a coaching staff. 

“None of us here are interested in making a lot of money.  Giving the kids an opportunity to succeed and seeing them do it is what it’s all about to us.  That’s the most rewarding part of what we do.”