Vontaze Burfict’s NFL rivals, and even the occasional teammate, have called the infamous former linebacker ‘dirty’ at one time or another.
UNLV football players will call him ‘Coach Burfict.’
Still just 34, but five years removed from his own controversial NFL career, the former Cincinnati Bengals star has agreed to become an assistant coach with the Running Rebels. The ‘defensive analyst’ position is his first coaching job since his last NFL game with the Oakland Raiders in 2019.
Burfict has not officially retired from the NFL, but he sustained several significant concussions and other injuries over seven impactful seasons, so a return to the pros is unlikely.
He will be working under UNLV head coach Dan Mullen and interim defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, who previously coached Burfict with the Bengals and Raiders.
Reaction to the news was somewhat divided, given Burfict’s reputation for dirty play. Many congratulated him on his first NCAA job, while others were quick to remember his late hits, personal fouls, fines and suspensions. In fact, many football devotees were inspired to make the same joke.
Burfict is seen reacting after a controversial hit on Antonio Brown in January of 2016
Now a defensive analyst with the Running Rebels, Vontaze Burfict has his first coaching gig
‘Take the over on UNLV personal fouls in 2025, y’all,’ CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli wrote on X.
‘Nice,’ one fan began, ‘he can teach them the fine art of head hunting.’
Others were fairly blunt.
‘If anyone should not be teaching young men how to play football, it’s Vontaze Burfict,’ one fan wrote.
Of course, Burfict’s reputation didn’t come about by accident. The Los Angeles native infamously knocked out Pittsburgh Steelers star Antonio Brown during a playoff game, leading to a three-game suspension at the start of the 2016 season.
‘That’s pathetic,’ Steelers offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert said at the time. ‘The NFL has to do something about that. A guy like that, going out there intentionally trying to hurt people, there’s no need for that kind of playing in this league. It’s sad. One of these days he’ll grow up.’
Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger recalled Burfict threatening another Steelers player after injuring Brown.
‘He hits [Brown], then, literally, as I am under center for the next play, he points at [JuJu Smith-Schuster] and says, ‘You’re next.”
Reaction to the news was somewhat divided, given Burfict’s reputation for dirty play. Many congratulated him on his first NCAA job, while others were quick to remember his late hits
Roethlisberger is among several Steelers players who accused Burfict (right) of dirty play
After signing with the Raiders in 2019, he was called for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Indianapolis Colts’ Jack Doyle, leading to Burfict’s ejection. The NFL then banned him for the year
Even Bengals receiver A.J. Green admitted the hit was ‘dirty’ the following season.
‘We already play a dangerous sport,’ Brown said in 2017. ‘We all put our lives on the line when we come out here every week, and you don’t want anything like that to happen to a player, no matter what team you play for or how big the rivalry is. We have to protect each other.’
And Burfict wasn’t finished.
After signing with the Raiders in 2019, he was called for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle, leading to Burfict’s ejection.
He was suspended for the remainder of the 2019 season the following day, with NFL vice president of football operations and chief disciplinarian officer Jon Runyan citing Burfict’s history of violations.
‘You have continued to flagrantly abuse rules designated to protect yourself and your opponents from unnecessary risk,’ read Runyan’s letter to Burfict.
