Max Burleson lettered in three sports at Florence State. He earned All-American honors while playing football in college in 1958. He was also a standout baseball and basketball player.

Burleson gave up his college career after his junior season to pursue a professional baseball career. He signed with the Detroit Tiger organization and played in Idaho Falls, Montgomery and Birmingham before beginning his coaching career.

Burleson got his first coaching job at Lauderdale County High School in 1960. After three seasons in Rogersville, he moved to Lee High School in Huntsville where he served as an assistant football and head baseball coach. He stayed until 1972 when he left to start the athletic program at J.O. Johnson High School.

After eight seasons with the Jaguars and a 57-22-2 record he dropped out of coaching in 1980. However, he later returned to Lee High School in Huntsville in 1981 as an assistant and head baseball coach. When Glenn Nunley retired in 1982, Burleson returned to the head football coaching duties.

He coached the first seven games in 1984, all losses, before collapsing on the practice field at Lee High School. Burleson passed away that same day at the age of 48 on October 17, 1984. His overall football coaching record is 73-62-2 in 14 seasons as a head coach.