Burbank High Hires New Basketball Coach

Burbank High has named John Downum to succeed Russ Keith as boys basketball coach.

Downum, 28, a 1976 graduate of Burbank who teaches social studies, coached Burbank’s sophomore team the past two seasons. He led the team to a 13-9 record and the Foothill League championship last season.

Keith resigned in July to take over the varsity program at Fallbrook High in San Diego County. Keith, who was 108-56 in seven years at Burbank, won league titles in four of the past five seasons. The Bulldogs were 16-7 last season and 8-2 in league.

At Fallbrook, Keith, 30, takes over a program that has gone through five varsity coaches in as many years. The varsity was 2-10 last season and the junior varsity and freshman squads were winless.