Darryl Burley was a two-time NCAA Division I national champion and a four-time NCAA finalist with a career record of 94-5-1 for Lehigh University.

He won his titles at 134 pounds in 1979 and at 142 pounds in 1983 while finishing second in 1980 and 1981 at 134 pounds. Burley was a four-time Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association champion, and a two-time champion, six-time finalist and Outstanding Wrestler at the Midlands Tournament.

He won a bronze medal at the prestigious Tbilisi tournament in 1985 after finishing second at the World Championship Trials in 1983 and third at the Olympic Trials in 1984. Burley won the United States National Open in 1985 after a runner-up finish in 1984.

A three-time district champion and two-time regional champion for Pemberton High School in Pemberton, New Jersey. He won the New Jersey state championship and was named Outstanding Wrestler as a senior in 1979, meeting defending champion Peter Schuyler in the finals.

Burley graduated from Lehigh University with a bachelor's degree in history in 1983 and a master's degree in history in 1985. He graduated with his juris doctorate from the Hofstra University School of Law in 1988.

He is a member of the Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame and the South Jersey Wrestling Hall of Fame. He designed, developed and implemented vocational training and acute nursing skilled facilities geared towards individuals with developmental and medical disabilities.

Burley has coached at wrestling clubs in Pennsylvania and New Jersey while also being a clinician at wrestling camps at all levels. He currently works as an assistant wrestling coach, alongside head coach and former Lehigh wrestler Solomon Fleckman, at the Cannon School in Concord, North Carolina.

He is the father of two daughters, Phobelien and Arryl.