13 Facts About Paul Burnum

Paul Burnum was a coach of multiple sports at the University of Alabama, having served as head coach of the school's men's basketball and baseball teams and an assistant for the football team.

Paul Burnum was the head football coach at Tuscaloosa High School in the university's home city of Tuscaloosa, where he led the Black Bears to an undefeated record, five state championships and a pair of national championships during his five-year tenure there.

Paul Burnum was born on February 6,1900, at Cullman, Alabama.

Paul Burnum later attended the University of Alabama, and after he graduated in 1922, Burnum began his coaching career.

Paul Burnum was known for having scheduled a series of intersectional games against other to high school teams of the period.

Paul Burnum's teams were so dominant that The Saturday Evening Post printed a story that implied Tuscaloosa High was solely a feeder school for players recruited by Alabama, however the story was later retracted.

Paul Burnum was personally hired by University President George H Denny and was paid a salary of $4,000 for an initial contract of five years.

Paul Burnum remained on staff as the freshman coach through 1941, and was promoted to the varsity as a line coach for the 1942 season.

Paul Burnum later resigned from his position with the Crimson Tide in February 1944.

In March 1943, Paul Burnum was named head baseball coach for the Crimson Tide.

Paul Burnum remained on the Board through July 1967 when he resigned his position due to poor health.

Paul Burnum later died on September 14,1981, at Druid City Hospital in Tuscaloosa.

Paul Burnum was posthumously inducted into Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1982 in recognition of his contributions to sport in the state.