Career
He was a four-year starter at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga but went undrafted. He had tryouts with the Detroit Lions but was not signed to their roster. He coached in the college ranks for 11 years for the University of New Mexico, University of Tulsa, Mississippi State University, University of Wisconsin, University of California, Los Angeles, and University of Tennessee.
In 1994, he joined the Cleveland Browns to become their defensive line coach.
He stayed there until 1998. In 1999, he joined the Carolina Panthers to be their defensive line coach and coached there until 2001.
In 2002, he was hired for the same position by the Denver Broncos. Burney worked as defensive line coach for the Washington Redskins from 2010-2014.
The 2013 Redskins defensive line helped the team rank fourth in third-down conversion percentage (340) and tied for second in negative rushing plays by opponents (72).
In 2014, his defensive line helped the Redskins rank 12th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed and the defense posted 36 sacks. Burney was hired by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2016 to coach defensive line, rejoining Marvin Lewis from their Baltimore Ravens days, and replacing Jay Hayes who departed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 1983-1986 New Mexico: Doctor of Laws
1987 Tulsa: Doctor of Laws
1988 Mississippi State: ILB
1989 Wisconsin: Doctor of Laws
1990-1992 University of California, Los Angeles: Doctor of Laws
1993 Tennessee: Doctor of Laws
1994-1995 Cleveland Browns: Doctor of Laws
1996-1998 Baltimore Ravens: Doctor of Laws
1999-2001 Carolina Panthers: Doctor of Laws
2002-2005 Denver Broncos: Doctor of Laws
2006 Denver Broncos: Delaware
2007-2008 Denver Broncos: Doctor of Laws
2010-2014 Washington Redskins: Doctor of Laws
2016–Present Cincinnati Bengals: Doctor of Laws.