With over 30 years of coaching, college admissions, student support, and youth development experience, Coach Burns is dedicated to empowering individuals to be creative, motivated, and inspired to pursue education, career success, and social awareness while navigating life’s transitions.

Originally from Fort Smith, Arkansas, Coach Burns played basketball at Fort Smith Northside before transferring to West Coast powerhouse Dominguez High School in Compton, California where he graduated. He went on to play college basketball at Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, Missouri, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

After his playing career, Coach Burns began coaching at the collegiate level, serving as an assistant at Webster University, Florissant Valley Community College, and Southern Polytechnic University. At just 29 years old, he became head coach at Texas College, later making stops at Southeast Missouri State University and Savannah College of Art & Design before taking on another head coaching role at Columbia College. These experiences shaped his leadership style and reinforced his passion for developing student-athletes both on and off the court.

In 2007, Coach Burns founded FYI Sports Academy, providing camps, training sessions, team opportunities, and college advising for student-athletes nationwide. Today, as the Campus Director of The FYI School, his vision is to help student-athletes excel through all phases of life and to prepare them to positively impact their families and communities through athletics, education, and social and cultural programs.

When he’s not coaching or mentoring, Coach Burns enjoys spending time with family, photography, watching documentaries, playing pickleball, traveling and relaxing at the beach.

Experience & Credentials

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration - Missouri Baptist University

Head Women’s Basketball Coach - Texas College

Head Women’s Basketball Coach - Columbia College

Owner & Director - FYI Sports Academy

USA Basketball Gold Licensed Coach

Assistant Director Upward Bound - Kennesaw State University

Athletic Director - Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta

Coach Mike has over 10 years experience in athletics, education, youth mentorship and program development.  He is committed to meeting students where they are and developing the whole individual–mind, body and spirit.

Born and raised in Garland, Texas, Coach Mike Daniels is a former multi-sport athlete and CIF Arena Football player with All-District honors in basketball and football. A Naaman Forest High School graduate, he earned his B.S. in Criminal Justice from Prairie View A&M University and an MBA in Organizational Leadership from Western Governors University. A D-1A alum, NFL Combine participant, and experienced high school coach, he brings elite playing and coaching experience to inspire the next generation of athletes.

In 2019 he joined FYI Sports Academy as an Assistant Director and by 2022 he was promoted to Southwest Region Director.  In this role, he oversees regional programming, coach development, and community outreach—impacting student-athletes and families across multiple states through sports-based leadership and mentorship initiatives.

As the Campus Director & Head Basketball Coach at The FYI School, he will look to integrate his signature PACCEE framework—Passion, Accountability, Control, Confidence, Energy, and Effort—into every relationship, helping students and athletes take ownership of their growth both on and off the court.

Away from his professional work, Coach Mike is a proud father to two beautiful children—a son and a daughter—and deeply rooted in his values of faith, family, and personal growth. He enjoys quality time with loved ones, traveling, hiking, fishing, reading, attending coaching clinics, and finding peace by the beach.

Experience & Credentials

MBA in Organizational Leadership - Western Governors University

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Prairie View A&M University

Southwest Region Director - FYI Sports Academy

USA Basketball Gold Certified Coach

Former Division I Athlete - Prairie View A&M University

Associate Head Football Coach - South Garland High School

Head Basketball Coach - Naaman Forest High School

Owner & Director - UX Sports