Former Rutgers coach Burns passes away

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) -- Frank Burns, who played for Rutgers and went on to become the school's all-time winningest coach, has died. He was 84.

The university announced the death on Saturday night, but provided no other details.

Burns played quarterback for Rutgers from 1945-48, finishing with 30 touchdown passes. He coached the Scarlet Knights for 11 seasons from 1973-83, compiling a 78-43-1 record.

"Coach Burns led our program to more victories than anyone and into national prominence," Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti said in a release. "More importantly, he was the epitome of integrity and a true leader of men."

Burns helped Rutgers to an 11-0 record in the 1976 season and the school's first bowl appearance in the 1978 Garden State Bowl. He guided the school to winning records in each of his first eight seasons as coach and was the second coach in school history to get Rutgers into the national rankings.

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