Anyone who tried to tackle Kodi Burns in high school knows how fast and elusive he could be.
The former Fort Smith Northside quarterback is moving just as quickly in his short career as a college football coach. Burns, 27, was recently hired as running backs coach at Arizona State, where he'll make $200,000 per year. It more than doubles his previous base salary of $80,000 at Middle Tennessee State, where he was a wide receivers coach.
"I'm not surprised at all," former Northside coach Darrell Henry said of Burns' rapid ascent in the coaching profession. "Even as a sophomore in high school, when I got him, Kodi was a fast learner. A real quick study, which enabled him to become accomplished in everything he did."
Burns is part of the Gus Malzahn coaching tree that includes former Shiloh Christian quarterback Rhett Lashlee, who is the offensive coordinator at Auburn. Burns got involved in coaching as a graduate assistant at Arkansas State and Auburn.
Burns spent one year as running backs coach at Samford University in Alabama before joining Middle Tennessee State's staff last season. He's currently on the road recruiting for the Sun Devils, who finished 6-7 after a 43-42 loss to West Virginia in the Cactus Bowl on Jan. 2.
"The coaching business is one of the strangest up-and-down businesses because you're here one minute, somewhere else the next," Burns said in an interview with the Birmingham News in 2014. "With that being said, my goal is to be an offensive coordinator and a head coach in the near future."
Burns was recruited to Auburn by former Tigers coach Tommy Tuberville. Burns started a handful of games at quarterback, then eventually moved to receiver after Malzahn arrived as offensive coordinator for the Tigers in 2009.
Losing the starting job at quarterback would've been a ticket out for some players, like the ones at Texas A&M and Oklahoma who swapped schools this semester. But Burns stayed and became a fan favorite at Auburn with his actions on and off the field.
He scored the first touchdown on a 35-yard reception from Cam Newton when Auburn beat Oregon 22-19 to win the national championship in 2011. He started 12 games at Auburn, where he passed for 1,312 yards and seven touchdowns, rushed for 799 yards and 14 touchdowns, and caught 16 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns.
"You have to remember, Kodi played for three different offensive coordinators in three years," said Henry, who is retired and living in Mount Ida. "He had to adjust to that. Not only did he adjust to it, he became a go-to guy among the players and settled things down when there was some uncertainty going on at Auburn at the time.
"That calming factor translates well in what a good coach should be. People listen to him and follow his example."
Burns' leadership skills and his ability to adapt to different situations made an impression on Arizona State head coach Todd Graham, who hired him on Jan. 7.
"Kodi is not only a talented coach but an extremely gifted recruiter, and we're fortunate to have him with us," Graham said in a press release shortly provided by ASU. "His background as a Division I player who won conference and national championships, and as a coach that has worked at different positions, gives him a unique perspective and ability to build relationships."
How long Burns will remain at Arizona State is uncertain. But it would be wise to check the transactions each December and January when the coaching carousel is at full speed.
Because this former Grizzly from Fort Smith is definitely going places.
Sports on 01/24/2016