Eric Roark to Nebraska? - Interesting

[diamond_tom]

Published December 13, 2006

NU's Blake heads to UNC

BY RICH KAIPUST
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU


LINCOLN - Although pulling John Blake off the Nebraska coaching staff is to be considered a major loss, recruiting analyst Tom Lemming said the Huskers are among a half-dozen football programs that can minimize the damage.

"For Nebraska," Lemming said Tuesday, "it might not be the blow it might be somewhere else."

Blake is set to be named an assistant coach at North Carolina, according to several people close to the situation. Lemming said Blake was in Chapel Hill on Monday meeting with Tar Heels head coach Butch Davis.

At NU, Blake was one of Bill Callahan's first hires and spent three seasons as the Huskers' defensive line coach. Blake was instrumental in helping Nebraska sign a 2005 class that was ranked among the nation's best, and Lemming has called him the top recruiter in college football.

"Fortunately for Nebraska, Callahan is also one of the better recruiters in the country, and he has a real good staff of (Kevin) Cosgrove and
(Bill) Busch and guys who can recruit the country," Lemming said. "You need five or six strong recruiters on your staff, and they have that.
There's only five or six teams in the country in that situation."

Blake did not return a call to his cell phone on Tuesday. Callahan commented only in a short release.

"I want to thank Coach Blake for his efforts and contributions as part of our coaching staff for the past three years," Callahan said. "This is an opportunity that John felt would enhance him professionally and we certainly wish him all the best in the future."

Lemming said it would be important for Nebraska to hire a replacement "who knows how to recruit Texas or California or Florida." He said he wouldn't be surprised if Callahan pursued or interviewed either Eric Roark of Southern Methodist or John Palermo of Miami.

At North Carolina, it is believed that Blake would become the Tar Heels'
defensive line coach and carry an assistant head coach title. Blake and Davis worked together with the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s, just before Blake began his three-year stint as Oklahoma head coach in 1996.

Davis has hired two assistants since being named as John Bunting's replacement at UNC on Nov. 14.

Blake was a major part of Nebraska's efforts to get back into Florida this year. That so far has netted a commitment from Patrick Grant, a defensive end from Lauderdale Lakes.

Blake also is the lead recruiter on several other Husker targets who remain undecided, including running back Noel Devine and defensive linemen Shukree Barfield, Joseph Townsend, Brandon Joiner and Chris Perry.

In 2005, Blake helped Nebraska bag Marlon Lucky, Barry Cryer, Ola Dagunduro and Barry Cryer - all starters or key contributors this season
- and secured the commitment of I-back Brandon Jackson the year before.
The former OU player and coach also has bolstered NU's presence in Oklahoma in recent years.

It is not immediately known when Blake would join the North Carolina staff. At Nebraska, Blake was making $165,200 annually as the fourth highest-paid member of the Husker football staff.
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[jkflamebo]

Don't know much about him, I'm shocked someone from our staff is mentioned in prospective coach openings. Impressive

[mrydel]

Might be the first 2 people that sent resumes.

[Stallion]

He's the Recruiting Coordinator

[Vitale]

This isn't new interest by Bill Callahan. He considered going after Coach Roark last year, too. Did rivals.com name Coach Roark one of the top non-BCS recruiters in the country last year? Built-in Texas connections for recruiting, too.
Hope he stays put.

[jkflamebo]

you are right, i remember that article vaguely where roark is mentioned

[mustangfan01]

I believe Eric also declined a job offer to coach DEs and recruit from Tennessee a year or two or three ago. I doubt he will jump ship for Lincoln -- at least lets hope not.