Inside Scoop on Coach Burke

By Katie Cellucci

Head football coach, Gregory Burke, opens up about his life off of the football field. When asked what he is most known for in the school, Burke modestly answered that he is a teacher first and then a coach.

Many would be surprised that off the football field, Burke lives an average life. “I am no different than any of the other great teachers and coaches at this school,” said Burke.

In his spare time, after practice and in between seasons, Burke enjoys spending time with his wife, playing racquetball and occasionally golf.  A firm believer that staying healthy is the key to life, Burke is constantly active.

He says it is very hard for him to stay put long enough to relax. When he does find a time to relax Burke says that he would rather “sit down and watch a good TV show than read a book.”

Burke is currently a fan of the show "The Voice" on NBC. Blake Shelton is Burke’s favorite on the show because although he likes all types of music, country is one of his favorites. During this past off-season Burke attended Shelton’s concert at The Comcast Center with his wife. If he had the talent to be on the show he would choose Christina Aguilera to be his coach.

Burke usually spends his free time with his wife. They enjoy going to the movies and watching TV together.

During the summer, Burke occupies his time by fixing up his house – “something always needs to be fixed,” said Burke. He admits he is not a handyman, but the work must be done to avoid it from piling up and becoming a bigger problem. His chore of choice is painting.

As well as being head coach of the football team, he is a family man at home. Burke makes it a point to see his two children. Burke hopes that someday he and his wife will become grandparents. He believes it would be “fun to have the little ones running around the house.”

When asked what he would be doing if he had not become a football coach the answer was the same; he would be a teacher. To him teaching is a lot like coaching, “You want to see the kids improve,” said Burke. He plans to teach and coach as long as possible.

This winter season is his first season back as the shot-put coach. Burke said he is excited to be coaching again this winter because it gives him something to do. He is looking forward to coaching because not only is it something to do, but it also gives him an opportunity to coach and work alongside a new set of kids.

Stoughton High School has little to fear about losing their football icon. Burke plans on staying at Stoughton and coaching as long as possible.