Brooks Burns says he is happy to be home. The Lincoln Countynative has been hired to coach football at West Lincoln.

Burns, 29, is the sixth head coach in the six years since WestLincoln began its football program. He replaces Ron DuPree whocoached one season before returning to Texas.

A 1992 Loyd Star graduate, Burns played tight end andquarterback in high school for his father, Roe Burns. He was atight end as a sophomore. He played quarterback his junior andsenior years. He was a punter and free safety at Copiah-LincolnCommunity College.

“I’m glad to be home,” said Burns. “West Lincoln is a uniquesituation. You have a school with a football program for six yearsbut they’ve had five head coaches. It’s almost like starting overevery year for them.

“I look forward to being here a long time,” Burns continued.”This is a good school system. I hope my sons will graduate fromWest Lincoln.”

Burns is married to the former Kim Clark of Ellisville. Theyhave three sons, Brodie Luke, age 4; John Carl, 3; and MatthewBrooks, 18 months.

West Lincoln principal Jason Case said he was happy to haveBrooks Burns on his staff. “He comes from a football family. He hasvery good experience at Northeast Jones. He is a young guy and hewill be what our kids need.”

At Northeast Jones for four years, Burns coached football soccerand golf. In football, he coached defensive backs. He also coachedthe eighth and ninth grade teams.

Before going to Northeast, he coached at Northwest Junior Highin the Meridian school system.

At West Lincoln, Burns will teach junior high science andphysical education.

Asked about his coaching philosophy, Burns said he believes inbasic, fundamental football. “One thing I really believe in is tosettle on just a few things and do them very well. Keep thingssimple as possible.

“We’ll have to look and see what kind of talent we have todetermine what we can and can’t do.”

Luke Addison will remain on staff. Addison has served asdefensive coordinator under five previous coaches at West Lincoln:Preston Gordon, Don Holsten, Roe Burns, Willie Brumfield andDuPree.

Case said a recent addition to the athletic department staff isKeith Cline, the school’s new head baseball coach and assistantfootball coach. Cline had been hired to work as an assistant atEnterprise last month, joining the staff of new head football coachMac Bezet, but his transfer to West Lincoln was approved.

Burns attended Co-Lin from 1992-94. He transferred to theUniversity of Southern Mississippi and obtained a bachelor’s degreein coaching and sports administration. He earned a master’s degreefrom USM in 1998.

West Lincoln is a member of Region 4-1A. The Bears finished 1-10last season, beating Dexter in a region game. They open the 2004campaign against a pair of Class 2A powers in Loyd Star andWesson.

Burns said the Bears will play Loyd Star, either Aug. 26 or 27,and play Wesson the next Friday. The third game is Enterprise, thefirst region test. “If I can get through the first three games, Ishould be OK,” said Burns with a chuckle.

His father recently was hired as defensive coordinator atEnterprise. His younger brother, Brodie, is a graduate assistant atOle Miss.

Bear Claws: Burns said the West Lincoln BoosterClub will meet Thursday, June 17, at 6:30 p.m. in Jack CaseGymnasium.