Jeremie Burns named Alma’s new grid coach

By Kevin Taylor

Alma Schools

The Alma School District named Jeremie Burns as the school’s new head football coach on Thursday night.

The former Ozark coach joined the staff in the spring of 2025.

A 1991 Alma graduate, Burns played for coach Frank Vines and said he’s excited to become the head coach. Burns is the first Alma alum to assume the position in more than 70 years, with Jim Bearden being the last to play for and coach the Airedales (1951-52).

Jack ‘Junior’ Carson, a 1942 alum, also coached the football team (1949-50).

“It's a huge honor to be considered for it,” Burns said. “To be able to come home and take over as the next coach, in the line of all the successful head coaches before me, it’s an honor.”

Burns replaces Rusty Bush, who finished 27-33 during his six seasons as the school’s coach, posting a 0-2 playoff mark. Alma hasn’t won a postseason game since 2019.

Burns spent nearly two decades as the head coach at Ozark, where he won a school-record 104 games. He led the Hillbillies to six seasons of nine wins or more, coached in three semifinal games, and led Ozark to the 2012 4A finals.

The Airedales have some key players returning in 2026, including junior quarterback Jay Lemieux, junior running back Dallas Perkins, and senior receiver Dylan Jackson.

“We’ve got to get stronger, and we have to build relations with guys in the hallway,” Burns said. “We have to see who else is out there that can help us; we need as many guys as we can to be part of Airedale football.”

Burns is the fourth head coach since Vines retired following a 31-year career in 2006.