Matt Burns

Head Coach & Defensive Coordinator

Matt Burns is a lifelong Sailor and proud graduate of Newport Harbor High School, Class of 1994. He has spent more than 25 years shaping student-athletes through coaching, teaching, and mentorship.

After high school, Coach Burns earned a degree in Biology from Wagner University, where he also played football. He later completed a Master’s in Educational Technology. In 1998, he returned to NHHS to begin his coaching career and has been making an impact ever since.

Coach Burns has guided many programs over the years. He coached baseball for 8 years, led the surf team for 15 years, and trained volleyball athletes in strength and conditioning for 8 years. Most of all, he has devoted 23 years to Newport Harbor Football, where his leadership and vision have helped athletes grow both on and off the field.

Family and community are at the heart of his life. Matt has been married to Erin, a fellow NHHS graduate, for 25 years. Together they are raising three children, all 4th-generation Sailors. Megan (NHHS ’22) attends Boise State University, Molly (NHHS ’23) studies at the University of Utah, and Wyatt (NHHS ’26) is carrying on the family tradition as a current student-athlete.

Coach Burns continues to inspire with his passion for education, athletics, and community. His commitment to Newport Harbor runs deep, and his influence will be felt by Sailors for generations to come.

Contact:
[email protected]