Meet Columbia's new football coach

Michael Burke remembers the first time he coached football and the passion Columbia has for its athletic programs.

That was back after he graduated from Columbia High School in 1989.

“I started coaching a midget team right out of high school. We had a lot of success too. I modeled my program after my dad’s (Mike Burke II, who coached Columbia football from 1985 through 2004) at the high school level. That was a lot of fun watching eight and nine-year-olds run a no huddle offense and be so well prepared at such a young age,” Burke said Thursday afternoon.

And then there is the passion of the Columbia fans.

“When I was in high school I was lucky enough to be on a state championship, L-L League Championship, section championships in football and basketball and a District Three runner-up team in both sports,” Burke said.

“The town treated us like royalty. Every one wanted to talk to you, the youth teams wanted to be close to you and the junior high teams idolized the varsity squad. After coming back from a few years off I noticed the lack of admiration from junior high to the varsity. That is something we need to get back for our program,” Burke said.

So now, the 20-year veteran of coaching from the midget to the junior high level to the varsity level, takes the responsibility of turning around the Columbia football program, which went 0-10 last season and had its first winless season since 1958.

Michel Burke III was approved by the Columbia School Board as the new football coach at the high school at its meeting Thursday, replacing Jason Shoff.

So after the start with the midget program, MBIII continued the climb up the coaching ladder or tree at Columbia High School.

“I moved up to the junior high and assisted my Uncle Steve Burke for a several years. We did the scouting for the varsity and that is where the x’s and o’s just really intrigued me. Watching how film study changed game plans and why knowing your opponent was so important,” Burke III, said.

He then became the high junior high coach for a number of years before moving up to the varsity program as defensive coordinator.

“I have had the opportunity to be exposed to football at every level and to coach/teach athletes at every level,” Burke III said. “In high school, my Dad had coaches meetings that were held in our dining room on Sunday mornings so I know what goes into a successful program,” the new coach said.

And he’s the head coach of the Columbia football program now, because...

“Ten years ago Notre Dame couldn’t have pulled me away from Columbia. I had always thought from the time I got involved in coaching I was going to run the football program at some point. I had visions of continuing the success of the program (section titles, district playoffs) and even turning Columbia into a Berwick, Manheim Central or a Southern Columbia and hoping to make a annual appearance in the state playoffs like those teams,” Burke III said.

“ Then some good things happened for me professionally at work and the time I had to devote to the program became a issue. I had to step away for a brief time. I would love to be a full-time football coach, most of us who do coach would love that. I love the game and I love the game planning that is involved. There is nothing like Friday Nights under those lights,” he said.

Now as head coach, the Tide might take a step back in time.

When Michael Burke III played, his dad, Mike Burke II, was his coach and later he coached with his dad. Now, Michael Burke III has the opportunity to coach his son, Michael IV and stepson, Nick Williams. And it will be a lot different between the father, son and stepson, this time.

“I am different than my son. I wear my emotions on my sleeve and always have. So my Dad and I butted heads because of my emotion and his emotion. We were and are just both very competitive in everything. IV is a little calmer, it takes him a little longer to get 0 – 60 miles-an-hour,” Burke III said.

“I come at him differently than my dad came at me,” Burke III said.

“With my dad. I can remember playing at Hersheypark Arena in a District Championship with 5,000 people there and I could distinctly hear his instructions coming out on the floor to me and driving me crazy! Michael IV is much different when I give him instructions,” the coach said.

“He doesn’t like to be talked to before, during and after practice. So I make my point and let it go, he knows my expectations, if I have to say it again it isn’t as “educational” as the first time. Nick, my stepson is just coming into this year with a great attitude and he knows he is going to have it tough on him too. They both know that during supper I am going to telling them things they need to hear and should hear,” Burke III said.

“My wife Laurie does a exceptional job keeping our household together when the boys and I are disagreeing. I know it is difficult to have your father as your coach but I think I have to treat Michael and Nick as any other player and know when to knock them down and also know when to pick them up. I learned a long time ago, you have to know who you can press and who you need to back off and when,” Burke III said.

As for his dad, the Hall of Fame Coach at both Columbia and Millersville, that too will be different.

“We have already had meetings on personnel, formations, verbiage, ideas and goals. I am excited to do this with him and the rest of our staff. It will be difficult at times, but, we both know where that line begins and ends. There has been disagreements when I was his Defensive Coordinator,” Burke III said.

“It isn’t about Michael or Mike Burke. It is about Columbia Football and the pride that we both feel for the school and town. We have both been successful in athletics and he has had an amazing coaching career. I feel very lucky that he is coming aboard to help us,” Burke III said.

After sitting out for five years after the elder Burke retired as Columbia’s head coach, Mike Burke spent a year as offensive coordinator at Hempfield, but spent last season pacing the fences around the football field at Columbia and other places in Section 3, watching his son coach and his grandson play.

“He just didn’t look right in black and red while at Hempfield,” the younger Burke said.

He’s been holding informal workouts with the program for more than a month.

“We have some ideas for revitalizing the football team, town and school and the involvement of all three with each other. I am hoping to be involved with the midget program teaching them how to run a program and letting them know our coaches will be available for X’s & O’s,” Burke III said.

“We also hope to bring back some traditions that were in place when Jack Yohe was coach,” he said.

The new coach will hold his first official meeting with the team tomorrow.

“They know what our staff stands for. We won’t accept a mediocre effort. They also know we can have success this year if they buy in to our vision and structure. We want them to be successful. So leave the i-pods and cell phones at home or in the locker, dress like an athlete and work like an athlete,” Burke III said.

“I ran my own program at the junior high level. I learned so much in those years. It is a great training ground for young coaches that want to coach at the varsity level. I made some mistakes but learned from them pretty quick,” Burke III said.

“Running the varsity program is going to be different. There isn’t anyone with higher expectations for this team than me. I have surrounded myself with the best people I can all the way down to our equipment manager. There seems to be some “electricity” back and that is good. I only want positive people surrounding our program. This group needs to know they can win. They have to expect it,” Burke III said.

“There is so much outside influences for our student athletes today it can be overwhelming. I want to be a positive for them, I want our program to be a positive for them. But I do feel the pressure to succeed right away. Most of the staff has had much success playing and coaching. I told the team already, ‘Hate to lose more than you Love to win,’” Burke III said.

Right now the new staff also include Burke’s brother, Tom, along with Justin Steiner, Mike Graybill, his cousin James Burke, Ryan Strickler and Brett Frey, all former players.