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Burnham Leaving USF For Iowa State

Tribune file photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Coordinator Wally Burnham has been a major force behind the successful USF defenses of recent years.

By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 17, 2009

Updated: 02/17/2009 11:43 pm

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How will Wally Burnham's departure affect USF?

TAMPA - University of South Florida defensive coordinator Wally Burnham has never backed down from a challenge.

Whether it was at Alabama playing for Bear Bryant, at USF devising a way to shut down West Virginia's vaunted spread offense or going nose-to-nose on the sideline with USF coach Jim Leavitt.

On Tuesday, Burnham undertook perhaps his biggest challenge, leaving USF to become defensive coordinator at Iowa State.

"They've been down the last couple of years," Burnham said. "I'm taking it as a challenge to try and turn that thing around, be competitive in the Big 12 and win the northern half of the league.

"To me if you're a competitive person, you look forward to those opportunities. Something felt good about it. I like new ISU coach Paul Rhoads' vision."

Burnham's departure isn't the last one. Secondary coach Troy Douglas is expected to resign today and leave for North Carolina. Last week, former offensive coordinator Greg Gregory went to South Alabama.

"Guys are offered jobs here every year," Leavitt said. "It doesn't matter if you pay a ton of money."

With Burnham, USF ranked in the top 30 in total defense in six of the past seven seasons, including a No. 10 ranking in 2008.

"Wally's a great guy, you just don't replace him," Leavitt said. "He's the best."

Defensive end George Selvie said the 67-year old Burnham was "the most fired up person" on the sideline. "He's out there with us talking trash," Selvie said.

At ISU, Burnham will coach with his son, Shane, who is coming from Elon. Burnham said he would have taken the job even without his son.

Burnham said twice he approached Leavitt about Shane being considered for USF openings. Leavitt said "you can't hire sons to coach on the same field" in Florida.

Burnham was USF's highest paid assistant at $220,000, but Leavitt said ISU's offer "was so far from what we do. We're pretty competitive in salaries in the Big East, but we can't compete with the SEC and Big 12. That's a different world."

Burnham said there were many reasons for his decision, but ultimately "this was the right move at the right time."

USF also replaced FIU with Charleston Southern on its 2009 schedule.

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928

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