John Blake (American football) facts for kids
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 6, 1961 Rockford, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | July 23, 2020 (aged 59) Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1979–1982 | Oklahoma |
| Position(s) | Nose guard |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1987–1988 | Tulsa (TE/WR) |
| 1989 | Oklahoma (DL) |
| 1990–1992 | Oklahoma (LB) |
| 1993–1995 | Dallas Cowboys (DL) |
| 1996–1998 | Oklahoma |
| 2003 | Mississippi State (DL) |
| 2004–2006 | Nebraska (DL) |
| 2007–2010 | North Carolina (DL) |
| 2016 | Buffalo Bills (DL) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 12–22 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
|
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John Fitzgerald Blake (born March 6, 1961 – died July 23, 2020) was an American football coach. He coached both college and professional teams. Blake played college football as a nose guard for the Oklahoma Sooners. Later, he became the head coach for the Sooners from 1996 to 1998.
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John Blake's Coaching Journey
John Blake had a long career in football coaching. He worked with many different teams. His journey included both college and professional football.
Coaching the Oklahoma Sooners
Blake became the head coach for the Oklahoma Sooners in 1996. He took over from Howard Schnellenberger. During his three years as head coach, his team's record was 12 wins and 22 losses. This was a tough period for the team.
Even with this record, Blake was excellent at finding new talent. He was a great recruiter. He brought in many players who helped the Sooners win a championship in 2000. Some of these players, like Roy Williams and Rocky Calmus, later played in the NFL.
Working with the Dallas Cowboys
Before coaching the Sooners, Blake worked for the Dallas Cowboys. He was their defensive line coach. He worked with famous coaches like Butch Davis and Barry Switzer. During his time there, the Cowboys won two Super Bowl championships. They won in 1993 and 1995. This was a very successful time for him.
Other Coaching Roles
Blake also coached at other universities. In 2003, he was the defensive line coach at Mississippi State University. From 2004 to 2006, he coached at the University of Nebraska. He also worked at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
In 2016, he joined Lamar University as a defensive line coach. Soon after, he accepted a position with the Buffalo Bills. He became their defensive line coach in March 2016.
John Blake's Passing
John Blake passed away on July 23, 2020. He was 59 years old. He had a heart attack while walking near his home. He was taken to a hospital in Dallas, Texas, where he died.
