Burns played professionally for the Detroit Wheels of the United States Interregional Soccer League (USISL) from 1994 to 1995.
[1] Burns served as the inaugural head coach of the Michigan Bucks of the Premier Development League from 1996 to 1999.
[4] On September 28, 1999, he was named the inaugural head coach for Michigan Wolverines men's soccer team.
[1] His most successful season was in 2010 when he led the team to a 17–5–3 record, and their first Big Ten Tournament championship in program history.
[5][6] The team also advanced to the College Cup where they lost to eventual tournament champion Akron in the national semifinals.