Middletown High School’s track team is coached by Don Boyer, one of the most successful track coaches in the state of Maryland.

However, Boyer isn’t the only coach on the team; he has an assistant, Daniel Burr. 

Every track runner in Maryland knows who Boyer is. He has won 18 state championships and 22 state runner ups, the most in state.

Though he is entering his forty third year as coach, he continues to coach as hard as he did from day one. 

Now he has help from Burr.  Burr has coached with Boyer and the Knights for four years. Burr works with the sprinters and jumpers. One of the things Burr has done during his time with Boyer is become more knowledgeable with all the events.

He is learning quickly, though, with some help from Boyer.  He has helped the organization out a lot.  He is always willing to do anything to help out the team or Boyer.

“He is extremely helpful, always helping make sure things are done right and always looking to do more. Plus he always carries my box,” said Boyer, with a laugh.

When asked about replacing Boyer, Burr said, “I could never replace him; I could step into his role as head coach.  He would still be able to come back and help any time.”

It isn’t just Boyer who loves him, either.  All the students on the track team have a special relationship with Burr.

“It’s different with Coach Burr; he is a little bit more informed on what teenagers like now a days. He can laugh at jokes Coach Boyer wouldn’t get,” said Jaraad Yates.

Yates is one of the senior captains on the team. He has worked hard to become second ranked in the county in the 55 meter his senior year.  Without Burr, he believes this couldn’t have achieved those accomplishments.

Burr loves watching his runners improve each day.  One of his goals is to make sure at the end of each day, his runners feel confident about themselves. 

Students will never hear Burr complain about not getting enough credit for what he does.  He doesn’t do it for recognition; getting the students respect is more important.

However, there are things he wishes he could do more of. 

“I would like to be more involved with running a meet for the future, but I like coaching with Boyer,” said Burr.

Ask anyone of the runners on the team; both coaches are very enthusiastic.  When a race is going on, both can be seen shouting encouraging words to their runners. 

Both coaches respect each other with a passion. When asked if Burr could ever live up to Boyer’s accomplishments, he simply laughed.

Burr doesn’t doubt that he could become a great coach.  Living up to the career of Boyer is something he can only try to do.  He just wants to get the most out of his runners, something Boyer has done a great job at doing.

“We all learn as we mature, growing old is all part of the learning process. Coach Burr needs to know we can learn something new everyday,” said Boyer.

Boyer is always giving Burr helpful tips to coaching.  These are the things Burr will take with him in his future. 

They have shared many moments together as coaches. It wasn’t a win or a big race they remember most; giving a fist raising jump in the air after each time a runner does good is what they will remember. 

Boyer is a legendary track coach in Maryland. Although living up to his legacy will be hard, Burr will get his chance at MHS, and many feel he may be just as good.