Burns links up with CC Spokane
Just when Mike Burns was finally starting to get a handle on his golf game, Ken Burrus called with an offer the former men’s basketball coach at Eastern Washington University couldn’t refuse.
Burns, who was fired by EWU in late May, is suddenly heading back to work as the head coach at Community Colleges of Spokane.
“I just got my handicap under 10, and lo and behold …” Burns said Tuesday afternoon after Burrus, CCS’ athletic director, announced his hiring. “I feel like Al Pacino in ‘The Godfather’ – ‘Just when I thought I was out, they drag me back in.’ “
Burns, 45, has been hired at CCS on a temporary basis pending the future plans of former Sasquatch coach Eric Hughes, who, according to Burris, recently took a one-year leave of absence to become a basketball development consultant with the NBA’s Toronto Raptors.
“We’re assuming this job with the Raptors is going to be everything Eric wants it to be,” Burrus said. “But for the time being, what we wanted to do was to hire a one-term interim coach, and to have a guy like Mike Burns – with his background, experience and ability – available right here in the community is amazing.”
Burns, 45, who was axed by EWU this spring after going 38-49 in his three seasons as the Eagles head coach, went on to express his gratitude to Burrus for giving him a chance to get back into coaching without having to uproot his family, which includes his wife, Mary, and their twin children, Bode and Kylie, who will turn 1 later this month.
“Mary and I love Spokane,” Burns said, “and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity not only to stay here, but to work here again, as well.”
Burns said he was thankful for having a chance to spend most of his summer at home with his young family.
“But when school starts, you get in that mode where you feel like you’re supposed to be coaching,” he said. “So, I’m thankful for the chance to get back to doing that, as well. And CCS is a great place to be.”
As for coaching at the junior college level, Burns said, “That’s the one thing for me – it’s always been just about coaching and not the level you’re coaching at.”
Burns inherits a veteran CCS team that finished 13-16 last season.
“We’ve got, I think, a pretty good team with a lot of sophomores,” Burrus said. “And to be able to come in with a veteran coach like Mike should make for a good season again.”