In his second season on the sidelines for Valdosta State, Herman Burge is no stranger to the demands of being a successful player at Valdosta State. After all, the newly appointed defensive coordinator for the Blazer basketball program spent two seasons wearing the Red and Black before going on to be a successful coach on the Division I and NAIA level.
Burge starred for Blazer Head Coach Mike Helfer during his first two years, during which he earned All-South Region and All-Gulf South Conference honors as a senior in 2006-07. He averaged 13.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game that season, during which he set a then-VSU single season record for free throw percentage at 87.2 as he connected on 82 of his 94 attempts. On the season, Burge dished out 183 assists, against just 77 turnovers, and tallied 71 steals.
As a junior in 2005-06, Burge averaged 9.8 points and 3.2 steals to go along with 4.5 assists. He dished out 125 assists on the year and turned the ball over just 79 times while recording 48 steals.
Burge still holds the Valdosta State career free throw percentage record at 86.5 percent as he made 166 of his 192 attempts in his two years.
After graduating from Valdosta State, Burge went on to be a successful assistant coach with three different NCAA Division I women's programs. He started his coaching career at Mercer, where he worked from 2008 through 2010. While at Mercer, Burge coached two Atlantic Sun All-Conference guards as well as the conference's 2010 Defensive Player of the Year.
Burge's duties at Mercer included directing guard development and monitored the academic success of the Bear student-athletes. He was also in charge of community service efforts and conducted film breakdown of opponents while also serving as the Women's Basketball camp director.
Burge moved from Mercer to Florida Gulf Coast for one year, where he again coached two All-Atlantic Sun performers. His responsibilities included directing ball handling and shooting drills as well as offensive moves and defensive footwork. He monitored student-athlete academic success and served as the junior college recruiting coordinator.
After his year at Florida Gulf Coast, Burge spent a year at Stetson, where he helped the Hatters to a school record 23 wins and the 2012 WNIT Tournament. His players included the Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year and two All-Atlantic Sun performers. He was in charge of guard development for the team and directed the Strength and Conditioning program.
After Stetson, Burge took over as the head coach at NAIA-member St. Gregory. He led his team to a 19-12 record in his one year at St. Gregory, during which he recruited the Sooner Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year. Two of his players earned Sooner Athletic Conference All-Conference selection while one was named third-team All-American. The team also achieved in the classroom as it compiled a 3.2 grade point average during the fall semester.
Prior to Valdosta State, Burge played two years at Oklahoma City.
Burge is married to the former Talescha Battle of Macon, and the couple has one child - Herman III born in 2012 - and are expecting their second in 2015.
