Nathan Burton

Georgia Tech graduate and football letterwinner Nathan Burton is in his third season as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at his alma mater.

In 2019, Burton helped direct a Georgia Tech defense that ranked among the nation’s top 40 in pass defense (207.7 ypg), and ranked among the top 25 nationally in red zone defense (.774).

A 2005 Georgia Tech graduate and four-year letterwinner for the Yellow Jackets from 2001-04, Burton returned to The Flats in 2019 after spending the 2018 season as defensive backs coach on Georgia Tech head coach Geoff Collins’ staff at Temple. With Burton coaching Temple’s DBs, the Owls rank fifth nationally with 18 interceptions in 2018.

In addition to being a student-athlete at Tech, he also served as a graduate assistant under head coaches Chan Gailey and Paul Johnson from 2005-08. His coaching career also includes five seasons as a defensive coordinator (West Alabama and Shorter) and stints at NC State, Tennessee-Martin and Oklahoma State.

A Lilburn, Ga. native, Burton and his wife, Britney (also a member of Georgia Tech’s Class of 2005), have four sons: Charlie, Grady, Isaac and William.

FULL BIOGRAPHY

Georgia Tech graduate and football letterwinner Nathan Burton is in his third season as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at his alma mater.
In 2019, Burton helped direct a Georgia Tech defense that ranked among the nation’s top 40 in pass defense (207.7 ypg), and ranked among the top 25 nationally in red zone defense (.774).

Last season, the Yellow Jackets’ defense took a step forward in the turnover department, as they ranked No. 2 nationally in fumble recoveries (12) and No. 25 nationally in total takeaways (18).

A 2005 Georgia Tech graduate and four-year letterwinner for the Yellow Jackets from 2001-04, Burton returned to The Flats after spending the 2018 season as defensive backs coach on Georgia Tech head coach Geoff Collins’ staff at Temple. With Burton coaching Temple’s DBs, the Owls ranked fifth nationally with 18 interceptions in 2018.

In addition to being a student-athlete at Tech, he also served as a graduate assistant under head coaches Chan Gailey and Paul Johnson from 2005-08.

Prior to Burton’s successful season at Temple, he spent the 2017 season in the Atlantic Coast Conference as a defensive quality-control assistant at NC State. His 14-year coaching career includes five seasons as a defensive coordinator – three at West Alabama (2014-16) and two at Shorter (2012-13). His unit at West Alabama led the NCAA Division II Gulf South Conference in rushing defense in 2015 and in total defense, pass defense and interceptions in 2014. At Shorter, he directed the GSC’s No. 2-ranked defense and helped guide the Hawks to a winning record in their transitional season from NAIA to Division II in 2012.

An Atlanta-metro area native (Lilburn, Ga.), Burton’s resume also includes two seasons as linebackers and secondary coach at Tennessee-Martin (2010-11) and one season as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma State (2009) to go along with his four seasons as a G.A. at Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets earned bowl berths in each of his eight seasons as a student-athlete and graduate assistant, including three bowl wins as a player (2001 Seattle Bowl, 2004 Humanitarian Bowl and 2004 Champs Sports Bowl) and appearances in the 2007 Gator Bowl and 2008 Chick-fil-A Bowl as a grad assistant.

Burton came to Georgia Tech as a walk-on but went on to earn a scholarship and four letters as a safety. “The Admiral,” as he was known to teammates, was named the Yellow Jackets’ Lifter of the Year in 2004 in recognition of his production in the weightroom. He graduated from Tech in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in applied biology.

Burton was a two-time all-Gwinnett County selection as a wide receiver and quarterback at Greater Atlanta Christian School. He and his wife, Britney (also a member of Georgia Tech’s Class of 2005), have four sons: Charlie, Grady, Isaac and William.