Learning to Seek Help: A Coach’s Journey from Adversity to Growth

Rashon Burno leads the men’s basketball program at Northern Illinois University. He’s in his fifth season now, and honestly, it hasn’t been easy.

Burno’s time at NIU has included injuries, player transfers, and some tough personal moments. The setbacks just keep coming, but he keeps pushing forward.

The Struggles of Rashon Burno’s Coaching Career

Things at Northern Illinois have rarely gone according to plan for Burno. Last season ended with a rough 6-25 record.

That final game against Central Michigan kind of summed it all up. Two minutes in, their best player went down with a sprained ankle.

You’d think they’d just fold, but somehow, the team managed a wild double-overtime win. That moment said a lot about the guts of the players and Burno’s coaching, even if the season overall was a struggle.

Early Promises and Subsequent Setbacks

Burno’s third year actually started strong. The team opened 5-1, even beating a Big East school and giving a Big Ten team a scare.

But then the injuries piled up, and everything kind of unraveled. They finished 11-20, and the offseason hit hard too.

Several key players transferred out—some to Kansas, Wisconsin, and Penn State. That left Burno scrambling to rebuild for year four.

The Impact of Adversity on Mental Health

Burno had to juggle more than just basketball. He felt responsible for his staff and players’ well-being, but the constant losing wore him down.

He started to feel isolated, questioning his own choices and doubting if he was the right guy for the job. The pressure just wouldn’t let up.

Seeking Help and Finding Clarity

After that brutal season, Burno realized he couldn’t keep carrying everything by himself. He reached out to his friend John Pelphrey, who coaches at Tennessee Tech.

Talking with Pelphrey—and spending some time in therapy—helped Burno see things differently. He discovered that being vulnerable and letting go, at least sometimes, was necessary.

Personal Growth and Leadership

Therapy brought up stuff that went way beyond basketball. Burno lost both parents when he was just eight, growing up in a tough neighborhood in Jersey City.

Those early losses shaped how he tried to control everything as a coach. Therapy taught him that he couldn’t control it all—and that’s not the end of the world.

He started focusing more on relationships and empathy. That shift changed how he led his team.

Applying Lessons to Coaching

With this new outlook, Burno tried to bring more trust and openness to the locker room. He wanted his players to feel safe being honest, even when things got rough.

He hoped this approach would help his team stick together and grow, no matter what obstacles came their way.

Looking Ahead

Burno keeps leading Northern Illinois University’s basketball program. He’s got a sharper sense of himself and what it means to coach.

The journey hasn’t been easy. Still, it’s changed him in ways he probably never expected.