Background
Burdette was born at Martin, Tennessee on September 5, 1914.
Burdette was born at Martin, Tennessee on September 5, 1914.
He then attended Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical where he both coached and played in 1944 before he began his head coaching career. He attended Utah Junior College (now known as the University of Tennessee at Martin) in 1935 where he was a member of the basketball team
Born in Martin, Tennessee, Burdette played college basketball for one season at Utah Junior College and three at Murray State University from 1935 to 1938. In all four season he competed, Burdette led his team in scoring and was an all-conference selection. Burdette led the Mississippi Valley Conference in scoring and was a selection to the all-conference squad, but transferred to Murray State University after the season.
After he graduated from Murray State, Burdette went to graduate school at Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical (now known as Oklahoma State University) in 1939.
As he pursued his masters degree in physical education, Burdette coached the Cowboys freshman team He then played for the Oklahoma City 89ers Amateur Athletic Union basketball team in Oklahoma City before he returned to Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical to head the school"s air crew training program during World World War World War II As a result of changes to eligibility requirements for participation in intercollegiate athletics due to the war, Burdette played for Henry Iba as a center on the 1943-1944 Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical basketball squad.
Burdette served as head men"s basketball coach at Alabama from 1946 through 1952. During his six season tenure with the Crimson Tide, he amassed an overall record of 81 wins and 59 losses (81–59).
After he lest Alabama, Burdette returned to his hometown and coached at Tennessee–Martin from 1952 to 1971.
During his nineteen-year tenure with the Skyhawks, he amassed an overall record of 197 wins and 201 losses (197–201) and the 1970 Volunteer State Athletic Conference championship.
As a member of the Racers squad for the 1936, 1937 and 1938 seasons, Burdette was both their leading scorer and was selected All-SIAA in each season.