Dwight Burns: a tribute in passing to our NMMI alum, coach and athletic director

Today, the New Mexico Military Institute mourns the passing of J. Dwight Burns (COL NMMI, RET), former NMMI alum, coach and athletic director.

Burns graduated from Roswell High School in 1967, then became the starting QB for the Broncos during ’67 and ’68 seasons.

The Broncos posted an 8-2-1 record with Burns as the freshman play-caller. That season, the Broncos won their first bowl game in program history with a 20-13 victory over Cisco College in the second annual NJCAA Wool Bowl.

Burns and the Broncos went 7-3 in his sophomore season, with Burns setting the NMMI school record for single-season passing yardage with 2065 yards on 122 completions and 222 attempts. That record stood for 42 years - finally broken by David Vega in 2010 with 2828 passing yards.

After NMMI, Burns was the starting QB at Angleo State University. Despite the Rams’ incredible ground game in 1970 – which averaged over 300 rushing yards per contest – Burns threw for 2972 yards during the ’69 and ’70 seasons, placing him 11th on the ASU career passing list at the time.

Burns completed his Bachelor of Science degree at ASU, then took his first coaching job in the North Texas town of Bonham where he was the head track and assistant football coach. He also served as coach at North Mesquite Texas High School.

Dwight joined the NMMI coaching staff in 1978, brought in by head Bronco football coach Lefty Stecklein to be the offensive coordinator.

In 1982, Burns left NMMI to start his own private business – a sporting goods store – in Roswell, NM.

Dwight returned to the Institute in 1985, taking on the head coaching job of the high school Colt football team.

In his first season as head coach, the Colts won the state championship in the NMMA’s Independent classification This marked the first state championship title for the NMMI high school program since 1965. The ’85 Colts went 8-4 overall and won the title-tilt over Fort Wingate, 21-7.

The Colts defended their state title the next year, this time with a 9-2 overall record, capped by a 24-13 win over Academy.

In 1992 Burns took the reins of the NMMI junior college football program, bringing the program back from a 10-year hiatus, and served for four seasons as the head Bronco football coach.

Burns began his last coaching tour for team NMMI in 1998. This was a nine-year stint, again as the head coach of the high school Colt football squad. Burns and the Colts narrowly missed another state title in 2004, this time in Class AAA.

Dwight’s final service to NMMI before retiring in 2010, came as an administrator, first as associate athletic director, then as the head of the NMMI Athletic Department.

The New Mexico Military Institute – and especially the NMMI Athletic Department – are deeply indebted to coach Burns. Burns left a lasting legacy at ‘The Old Post’ through his achievements as a quarterback, coach, mentor, and leader, inspiring generations of student-athletes and coaches.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Burns, his son Rick Burns and his daughter Brandi Burns.

His brothers, Dale (Robbie) Burns and Drew (Ann) Burns; his sister Debbie (Kai) Cheatem. Numerous Nieces, Nephew, Cousins and friends, are left to cherish his memory.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert John Burns and Dorotha Virgina Burns; Brothers, Dwaine Burns and Don Burns.

Pallbearers are Jeff Lynn, Charlie Ward, Charlie Savedra, Jose Barron, Sean Schooley and Geoff Gun. Honorary Pallbearers are David “OG” Lynn, Tommy Sanchez, Kai Cheatem, Frankie Amaro, Gerald Burns and Pilar Carrasco.

Public visitation will be Tuesday, September 1, 2026, from 4 – 7 pm, at Ballard Funeral Home Chapel. His Funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 10:00 am, at Grace Community Church, on 935 W. Mescalero Rd, Roswell, with burial to follow at South Park Cemetery, 3101 S. Main St. Roswell.