Burl Wood

Linebacker (1962-1963)

After graduating from Cabool, Missouri, he and his twin brother, Earl, came to play for Coach Mills.  It helped that his sister lived in Coffeyville at that time.  After two great years at CJC, and being selected on the 1963 All-American team as a linebacker, he was ready to move on to a four-year college.  In the spring of 1964, he went to Tulsa University, where he was a starter at the finish of spring practice.  Being from the country, he didn’t like the big city life of Tulsa.  His brother, Earl, was a red shirt his first year at CJC and he was going to stay in the fall of 1964, so Burl came back to coach with Bill Mills.

He and his brother transferred to West Texas State University.  Burl completed a Bachelor of Science degree and was a starter at linebacker for two years, earning a position on the All-Texas College Football team in 1966.  During the 1967 thru 1969 seasons, he spent time with professional football teams including the B.C. Lions of the Canadian Football League and the Boston Patriots of the old American Football League.  He returned in 1970 to West Texas State University as an assistant football coach.  In 1973, he served as head coach.  He was an assistant coach at the University of Texas at El Paso in 1974 thru 1976.  Burl and his brother, Earl, were placed in the West Texas Football Hall of Champions.

In 1977, he left the coaching position to pursue a career in the insurance industry.  He joined the world’s largest property and casualty insurance company, State Farm Insurance.  Burl earned the highest honors with the company as an agent by being a member of the Lifetime President’s Club 18 times over the last 21 years.  He married Linda Carmer from Lufkig, TX, September 1968 and they have three children.