LIONS COACHING HIGHLIGHTS:
The Lions linebackers continued their defensive leadership in 2012 as they collectively led the team in total tackles. LBs Stephen Tulloch and DeAndre Levy finished in the top three on the team in total tackles with 112 (74 solo) and 81 (56 solo), respectively.
Despite a season with limited turnovers, Burke’s linebackers recorded 11 pass defenses and directly contributed to a combined five turnovers in 2012. Levy recorded an interception and a fumble recovery, while Tulloch recovered two fumbles and forced another.
Tulloch joined the team during training camp in 2011 and quickly emerged as the rock of the defense at middle linebacker. Since coming to Detroit, he has recorded a team-leading 223 total tackles (158 solo), 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and 11 pass defenses.
Since Levy was drafted in 2009, Burke has been instrumental in his development as one of the best young linebackers in the League. Throughout his four seasons in Detroit, Levy has registered 339 tackles (233 solo) which is the most of any Lions defensive player during that span.
In 2008, Burke helped coach the Tennessee Titans to an NFL best 13-3 record and rank seventh in overall defense with 4,698 yards allowed as well as third in offensive points allowed with 227. In his first two seasons with the Titans, he worked as an administrative assistant in the football department assisting the coaching staff with scouting breakdowns during the week and on gamedays. Burke was promoted to defensive assistant/quality control coach in 2006. He was primarily responsible for breaking down film on upcoming opponents and self-scouting, also conducting on-field work with the linebackers.
Prior to joining the Titans, Burke was the assistant secondary coach for one season (2003) at Harvard, originally entering the college ranks at Boston College (2000) as a graduate assistant for recruiting before working with the defense from 2001-02. His first coaching position came at Bridgton Academy (Maine), where he worked in 1998 and 1999.
A native of Hudson, Massachusetts, Burke played safety at Dartmouth and was part of an undefeated Ivy League champion team in 1996.
BURKE'S COACHING BACKGROUND
Detroit Lions 2009 - present
• Linebackers 2009 - present
Tennessee Titans 2004-08
• Defensive asst. /Quality Control 2006-08
• Administrative Asst. 2004-05
Harvard 2003
• Asst. Secondary/Cornerbacks 2003
Boston College 2000-02
• Graduate Assistant 2000-02
Bridgton Academy (Maine) 1998-99
• Secondary 1998-99