Raymond Burnett

Who was Raymond Burnett?

Raymond Burnett was a professional American football player and coach.

A native of New Hope, Arkansas, Burnett was a standout football player for four years in basketball and football at Atkins High School from 1928-31. Nicknamed “Rabbit” he starred as halfback at Arkansas Tech University and the Arkansas State Teachers College, before playing the 1938 NFL season for the Chicago Cardinals.

Burnett then started his coaching career at Atkins High School in 1939, where he coached for two seasons before having his career interrupted by World War II. In 1944 he returned to coaching, taking over head coaching duties at tradition-rich Little Rock Central High School. After an unbeaten 14-0 season in 1946 his team was named mythical national high school champion.

In 1948, Burnett left Little Rock High for his alma mater Arkansas Tech, where he served as head coach for six seasons. He compiled a 30-24-3 overall record, including leading Tech to back-to-back AIC titles in 1948 and 1949. However, after some less successful seasons Burnett left Arkansas Tech to coach at North Little Rock High School from 1954-56. He was inducted to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1974.