Murray State has appointed Rashon Burno to the dual role of President of Basketball Operations and assistant coach, a move that signals the program’s intent to blend strategic oversight with on‑court development as it prepares for the 2026‑27 campaign.
A Coach With a Proven Track Record
Burno arrives after five seasons as head coach at Northern Illinois, where he honed his ability to shape program culture and navigate the rigors of Division I competition. His résumé also includes six years on Bobby Hurley’s staff at Arizona State, a period that saw the Sun Devils earn two NCAA Tournament bids and climb as high as No. 3 in the national rankings.
During his tenure at Florida, Burno was part of a coaching staff that reached the 2014 Final Four, advanced to three Elite Eights and secured back‑to‑back SEC regular‑season championships. Those accomplishments underscore his capacity to contribute to deep tournament runs, a trait that aligns with Murray State’s aspirations.
Before his coaching career, Burno played at DePaul University and began his professional journey in the financial services sector. He first broke into coaching at Marmion Academy in Illinois, where he helped lead the program to back‑to‑back national high school championships under Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley.
Burno’s playing pedigree includes a standout high‑school career at St. Anthony High School, also under Bob Hurley, where he captured two national titles. That foundation paved the way for his transition into college coaching, a path he has now walked for nearly two decades.
In his new role, Burno will help steer Murray State’s basketball operations while also contributing on the bench. The university expects his experience to accelerate the Racers’ preparation for the upcoming season and to reinforce a competitive culture that can contend in the Ohio Valley Conference.