After his career as a coach ended, Burnum worked in private business and served as a member of the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education.
[5][6] For their overall efforts, the five Tuscaloosa teams coached by Burnum were retroactively recognized as state champions by The National Sports News Service.
[7] In addition to his undefeated record and later recognition as state champions, both the 1926 and 1929 teams were later selected as the winner of the High School Football National Championship.
[11] During his tenure, Burnum was known for his recruiting abilities and some of the players he helped bring to Alabama included Bear Bryant, Don Hutson, Dixie Howell and Joe Domnanovich.
[13] During the season, Burnum led the Crimson Tide to a 41–32 upset victory over Adolph Rupp's Kentucky Wildcats at Foster Auditorium.
[16] After his coaching career was completed in 1944, Burnum entered private business as president and general manager of Warrior Box & Lumber Company in Tuscaloosa.