John Burke Jr.

John Homer Burke Jr. (July 4, 1924 – January 27, 2003) was an American athlete and coach who was the head men's basketball coach at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Boston University (BU).

Early life Burke was born in West Orange, New Jersey.

After graduating, Burke entered the United States Army. He was a private first class in the 393rd Infantry Regiment and fought in the Battle of Remagen. He then spent one year as athletic director, teacher, and basketball coach at the Grosse Point Country Day School in Grosse Point, Michigan. Over seven seasons, he compiled a 68–84 record. He resigned in 1966 to become the golf professional at the Needham Golf Club. A Class A member of the Professional Golfers' Association of America, Burke had been a part-time professional at Prouts Neck Country Club in Prouts Neck, Maine during his coaching career.