James Burns joins the Modesto Junior College men’s soccer program as the Associate Head Coach and Head of Training and Development. He brings a strong track record of coaching success at both the collegiate and high school levels.

Burns spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach at Delta College, where he helped guide the Mustangs to their second-ever Big 8 Conference title in 2024. He is also in his third year as the varsity boys’ soccer coach at Manteca High School, where he revitalized the program by ending a decade-long playoff drought in his first season.

In addition to his scholastic coaching roles, Burns has made a significant impact at the club level with Manteca Futbol Club. He led the 2005–06 age group teams to a State Cup championship, two national tournament titles, and a top-five national ranking at their peak. He currently coaches the club’s UPSL men’s team and is set to launch the 2009–10 boys’ UPSL Academy team this summer. Burns has also coached with the MFC United Academy girls’ teams and provides private training through FirsTouch Futbol.

Burns holds a bachelor’s degree in Business and a Master’s in Teacher Leadership. He also studied Journalism at Sacramento State. He is married to his wife, Jill, and they have two children: Karlie (19) and Jimmy (16).