MCC Daily Tribune

MCC Proud: Meet Jerry Burns

Gerald (Jerry) Burns is the Monroe Community College (MCC) men’s basketball coach and an academic advisor. He is in his thirty-fourth year at the College.

Burns’ passion for basketball helped shape his career path. “I have always loved basketball, so it was an easy choice,” he said.

Burns began his coaching career in 1986 as an assistant at Region III rival Champlain College. He then spent a year at St. Michael’s College, a Division II school in Winooski, VT, before moving on to Wagner College on Staten Island. He spent two years as an assistant coach at the Division I program before making the move to MCC.

When asked about his favorite MCC memories, he recalled meeting President R. Thomas Flynn during his interview—an encounter that convinced him MCC would be a great place to work.

During his time at the College, Burns has received several honors, including his induction into the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Men’s Basketball Hall of Fame in February 2025.

Other accolades include being named Region III Coach of the Year 10 times, Coach of the Year honors from the Western New York Athletic Conference in 1997 and 2004, and New York State Junior College Coach of the Year in 1994 and 2004. Burns also won the Basketball Times Coach of the Year award in 1994.

He is a member of the MCC Athletics Hall of Fame (2022), the Castleton University Hall of Fame (2000), and the Frontier Field Walk of Fame (2014).

When asked what advice Burns would give current MCC students or those considering enrolling at the College, he said, “Enjoy your time here – it’s a great place!”

Outside of MCC, Burns is married to his wife of 30 years. They have three children and help raise their niece and nephew. The Burns family also has two dogs, Grip and Harley.

Fun Facts About Jerry

Courtney: If you had to eat the same meal at least once a day, what would it be?
Jerry: Chicken salad
Courtney: What is your favorite movie?
Jerry: Braveheart
Courtney: What is your favorite sports team?
Jerry: Dallas Cowboys
Courtney: What is your biggest fear?
Jerry: Stupid bugs
Courtney: Is there anything about you that people are surprised to learn?
Jerry: I work on cars in my spare time.
Courtney: Do you prefer staying up late or waking up early in the morning?
Jerry: Late!
Courtney: Share the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you.
Jerry: From my dad… Always turn a negative into a positive.
Courtney: What destination do you hope to visit one day?
Jerry: Aruba
Courtney: What activities do you participate in over the weekend?
Jerry: Golfing, working on my cars, and most importantly, spending time with my family.

Photo caption: Jerry Burns sitting in casual clothing on outdoor patio furniture while joined by his three children and one of the family's dogs.

Attached Files:
Jerry Burns.png

Courtney Weimar
Community Relations
12/17/2025