Dec. 27, 2005

ABILENE, Texas - Jesse Burleson, who was a three-time all-Conference selection and academic all-American at Hardin-Simmons, has been named the offensive line coach for the Cowboys, replacing Andy Stanton who resigned earlier this month.

Burleson, who most recently served as the offensive coordinator at Odessa Permian High School, has also had coaching stops at Clyde, South Grand Prairie and Temple. He started his coaching career as a student assistant at Hardin-Simmons.

"Jesse is hard worker and a great offensive line coach," said Hardin-Simmons head coach Jimmie Keeling. "He was a standout player for us and we are glad he has returned to be part of our coaching staff. We expect great things out of Jesse."

Burleson, 28, is a native of Clyde and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hardin-Simmons with a degree in physical education and history. He is married and has two children.

HSU has had an all-American offensive lineman for the past seven seasons and five of those years it was a first-team all-American.