Football: Burlington Central tabs Melvin as hew head coach

Brian Melvin couldn't have asked for a better tutor to prepare him for his first head high school football coaching job.

Melvin, a 1994 Larkin graduate, was announced Tuesday as the new head coach at Burlington Central. He replaces Jason Newburger, who stepped down after one season and a 1-8 record.

Melvin comes to Central after spending the last four years as an assistant to former Bears All-Pro Kurt Becker at East Aurora. Melvin has also coached at Elgin, St. Francis, Bartlett and St. Charles East.

"I'm so thankful for this opportunity and I'm just so happy to be back home," said Melvin, who lives in South Elgin with his wife, Elizabeth, and their 9-year old son Brady and 7-year old daughter Adrianna.

"Kurt Becker was like a second dad to me," Melvin said. "I owe everything to him and telling him I was leaving East Aurora was very hard. He's been my biggest mentor. He taught me so much and I already miss him. Having played at Michigan for Bo Schembechler and then for (Mike) Ditka and the Bears, he knows tradition and tradition is what we're going to bring back to Central football."

Melvin played middle linebacker, fullback and tight end in his playing career. He played at North Park University and studied physical education. He earned his counseling certification from National Louis University in 2012 and will join the guidance department at Central.

"Brian is familiar with our community and his energy, passion and vision for Central football makes him a perfect fit for Central's growing program," said BC athletic director Steve Diversey in a news release. "Melvin plans to restore Rocket football tradition and bring back our physical brand of football. He looks forward to beginning his work with the team and coaching staff in the next few weeks as Central's summer program gets underway."

Melvin said he will incorporate much of what he learned from Becker as he takes over the BC program.

"The football we play is a 'just go' philosophy," he said. "If you see it, go. We'll be fast, we'll be physical, and we'll run the football. We put kids in the right spots. We keep it simple and just play football."

The Rockets have only made the playoffs twice since 2008 and haven't advanced past the first round since 2006.