2024 Interview with new Pulaski County High School (Ky) Head Coach Travis Burns

Travis Burns

Pulaski County High School

Head Football Coach

Congrats on getting the head coaching job at Pulaski County!

Would you share with everyone your coaching career, from your first job up to your current position?

I started my coaching career at George Rogers Clark High School in 2015 as the linebackers coach. In 2016, I started at Boyle County as the outside linebackers coach. I was in Boyle County for 8 years. My most recent role was Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator. Now I am the head football coach at Pulaski County High School.

Have you decided on the offense and defense you will run this season?

Offensively and defensively, we will look very similar to what we did at Boyle County. Establishing the run and stopping the run.

I have talked to enough coaches who have taken over a program, and it seems the common thread from last year does not matter. We are starting all over. How much of who started last season will play a part in who starts this season?

I agree with the other coaches. Last year does not matter. It is all about work and production. The best 11 will play.

Could you share some of the changes you plan on making to help the team recover from the 4-8 record posted this past season?

Well, we were very young last year. A lot of players have another year to grow and mature. I'm big on it; it’s not what we do, but how we do it. Emphasis on how we practice and the mindset of the teams.

Who are some of the coaches you have learned the game from, and how much of what you have learned from them will you incorporate into what you do?

Two of my bosses at Boyle County were Chuck Smith and Justin Haddix. Both of them are legends in their own right, and both of them made huge impacts on me as a coach. The lessons that I learned from them and others that I worked with are essential to who I am as a coach.

What are your thoughts on playing out-of-state teams, and will you be playing any once you have openings in your schedule?

With the current state of the RPI in Kentucky, it’s hard to play an out-of-state team because of how they factor into the RPI. I do not foresee us playing an out-of-state team unless we have to.

What changes, if any, would you make to the playoff format that the state of Kentucky has?

I have really benefited from the current format. For the most part, it has done a great job of getting the best teams to the dance. I do believe some changes need to be made to how it is calculated.

What are your thoughts about students playing multiple sports?

I think athletes should play all the sports they want to play. Other sports will teach them things that they will not get as a football player.

How important is it to you that all of the lower levels throughout the program play a full schedule?

It’s essential that all levels play a full schedule because if they don't, then they are limiting the number of reps they can get. Live reps are important to a player's development.

Should all teams in the program run the same base offense and defense? Explain

Yes, it should be the same at the lower levels as it is at the varsity level. This allows kids to already be prepared with their terminology, concepts, and techniques, and you can keep pushing farther forward.

Do you think the price of a ticket for a high school game is getting to the point where the casual fan is no longer attending as many games as they did 10 or 15 years ago?

No, I believe that streaming services have allowed casual fans to still watch the game from the comfort of their own homes.

What sports did you play in high school and college?

I just played football.

What is the one sport you cannot watch on TV?

Baseball.

What is a talent you have that might shock your players?

I’m not sure on that one.

Link to interview with pics
https://hearltlandfan15.blogspot.com/2024/02/2024-interview-with-new-pulaski-county.html