Duke officially hires Big Ten offensive assistant

It’s official. Zohn Burden is joining Duke as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. After multiple reports stated the former Maryland assistant was joining the program, the Blue Devils made it official on Saturday.

“Our offensive staff is complete,” tweeted Duke. “Welcome to the Blue Devil family, Coach Zohn Burden!”

Moreover, Burden spent five seasons on staff as wide receiver coach and running back coach at Virginia Tech prior to Maryland. Additionally, the coach was selected to participate in the NFL’s Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the Washington Football Team during 2017 training camp, and again with the Los Angeles Chargers the following year.

Before his coaching career began at the FCS level, Burden played four seasons at VMI. He was named a three-time All-Big South wide receiver from 2002-05 and finished his career with 162 receptions for 2,101 yards and 12 touchdowns.

With Zohn Burden officially joining the Blue Devils, Mike Elko’s first Duke staff continues to take shape ahead of the 2022 season.

More Mike Elko, Duke staff additions

The addition of Zohn Burden continues the momentum gained by new Duke head coach Mike Elko. The former Texas A&M defensive coordinator is continuing to poach assistants from across the country.

First, Lyle Hemphill – who served in the same role at Wake Forest since 2017 – took a job as safety coach under Mike Elko. In the past, Hemphill and Elko worked together at Hofstra and with the Demon Deacons.

Moreover, Hemphill got his coaching start at Delaware Valley University in 2002 as a defensive backs and special teams coach. After heading to Delaware from 2004-05, he went to Hofstra from 2006-09 — working with the secondary and special teams. That’s where he met Elko, who worked as the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Hofstra during that time.

Hemphill headed back to Delaware in 2010 before taking the defensive coordinator position at Stony Brook from 2011-16. In 2015, he earned FCS Defensive Coordinator of the Year honors as Stony Brook held teams to just 250 yards — the best mark in Division I.

Furthermore, Duke has also hired former Texas A&M analyst Harland Bower to coach defensive ends for the Blue Devils. He worked with Elko with both the Aggies and Notre Dame, both in off-the-field roles. Elsewhere, Bower had on the field with Central Arkansas and South Alabama.

Bower will now be having his first on-field positional coach position within the Power Five.

Finally, Elko will be bringing in East Carolina director of player personnel Derek Miller to Duke. He will serve as the recruiting general manager for the Blue Devils.

On3’s James Fletcher contributed to this report.