Macomb men’s basketball head coach, Christopher Burns, has resigned from his post with the Monarchs to pursue another career opportunity. Burns was the coach of Macomb men’s basketball for the past three seasons and helped set several new program records along the way.
“After three incredible years as head men’s basketball coach, I have made the decision to step down from my role,” said Burns. “To everyone that has made this experience so special, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“To the administration and athletic department, thank you for believing in me, supporting me, and giving me the opportunity to lead this program. While I’m stepping away from Macomb’s sideline, my love for the program remains. I wish the team, the incoming staff and every player continued success in the years ahead.”
Burns, the eighth head coach in program history, compiled a 78-23 overall record in three seasons and a 34-8 mark in MCCAA Eastern Conference play. The 78-23 (.772) overall record is second all-time in program history by winning percentage, while the 34-8 (.810) league mark is the program’s best all-time conference record by winning percentage.
In the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, Burns led the Monarchs to a combined record of 61-10 as the program captured back-to-back conference titles for the first time in history. The historic seasons also saw the Monarchs earn the second-and-third leg of a Great Lakes District Championship three-peat. The pair of Great Lakes District Championships in 2023-24 and 2024-25 sent the program to the NJCAA Division II National Championship in both seasons where Burns and the Monarchs compiled a national-best 6-2 record over that span.
In 2024-25, Burns and the Monarchs went to the Elite 8 and lost a narrow, triple overtime thriller to the eventual national champion.
While winning was a constant theme, Burns and staff continually sent players to the highest levels, highlighted by the 2024-25 starting five all moving on to NCAA Division I or Division II programs. With Burns at the helm, a total of 12 student-athletes moved on to the next level with many more to be added to that list from this year’s roster. Of the 12, five are currently or have been on NCAA DI rosters, while four are at the NCAA DII level.
For his efforts leading the Monarchs, Burns twice earned Great Lakes District Coach of the Year (2023-24 & 2024-25), as well as MCCAA Coach of the Year (2023-24) and Eastern Conference Coach of the Year (2023-24).
“I want to thank Coach Burns for his tireless commitment to Macomb basketball over the past three years,” said athletic director Bryan Rizzo. “He put everything he had into the program and its players. We are grateful for all his efforts and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
A search for the program’s ninth head coach will begin in the coming days.
