Paul F. Burnum was born February 6, 1900 in Cullman, Alabama. After graduating from the University of Alabama, he coached at Clio for a year. In 1925 he went to coach at Tuscaloosa High. Through 1929 his teams won 38 regular season games out of 38 scheduled. Their post-season record was a tie for the state championship in 1924 and then 4 straight national high school championships. In 1930 he became an assistant coach at the University of Alabama and was largely responsible for recruiting Dixie Howell, Don Hutson and Paul Bryant. He passed away September 14, 1981.