Ron Burton (linebacker)

Ron Burton (born May 2, 1964) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League and the current defensive line coach for Michigan State Spartans football.

Burton was an all-state, all-district and all-region selection as an outside linebacker at Highland Springs High School. He was also named the prep player of the year in 1982.

Burton was a four-year letterman at the North Carolina Tar Heels football (1982–86), where he made three bowl appearances and was named team captain and best defensive lineman as a senior. His eight sacks during the 1986 season presently tie him for seventh on UNC's single-season sack list. He graduated in 1987 with a degree in Industrial relations.

Moving on to the next level, Burton spent four seasons playing linebacker in the National Football League with the Dallas Cowboys (1987–89), Phoenix Cardinals (1989) and the Los Angeles Raiders (1990). He started the last six games at middle linebacker for the Cowboys his rookie year in 1987. He also started 15 games in 1988 at outside linebacker for the Cowboys. While playing for the Raiders, Burton was on the team that played in the 1990 AFC Championship Game.

Early career (1992-2001)

After spending two seasons as a graduate assistant for the North Carolina Tar Heels, 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 Eagles football, where he served two seasons as the linebackers coach.

Burton was the linebackers coach at Indiana Hoosiers football 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 Lakers football 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). 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.

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.