David Blake enters his first season as the safeties coach at Rhodes College for the 2019 season.
He spent the three previous seasons (2016-2018) as defensive quality control coach working with the secondary at the University of Memphis under the leadership of head coach Mike Norvell. During that time, Memphis was a two-time American Athletic Conference Western Division Champion, appeared in three bowl games, had multiple victories over top-25 ranked teams including wins over UCLA and Houston, and had the highest rated recruiting classes in school history.
While at Memphis, the foundation of Blake’s high-energy aggressive defensive philosophy was formed while under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Chris Ball and working along side defensive backs coaches Marcus Woodson (2016 & 2017) and TJ Rushing (2018).
The Memphis defense ranked as one of the nation’s most-opportunistic units the Tigers, forced the fifth-most turnovers over a three-year span among Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) squads with 80 (29 in 2016/31 in 2017/20 in 2018). The 31 caused turnovers were tied for third nationally in 2017, and the 29 forced in 2016 were tied for fifth nationally.
Of the 80 forced turnovers, 40 were fumble recoveries (13 in 2016/15 in 2017/12 in 2018), which is among the FBS’ top-10 over the last three campaigns. In 2016, the 13 fumble recoveries were tied for sixth in FBS in 2016, the 15 in 2017 were tied for fourth nationally and 12 recoveries in 2018 ranked ninth among national FBS leaders.
Not only did the Tigers force turnovers, they made a habit of capitalizing on their opponents’ miscues. Of the 80 turnovers by opponents from 2016-18, Memphis scored 44 times, including seven defensive touchdowns (six interception returns/one fumble recovery). The defense also ranked in top-20 in FBS in turnover margin in both 2016 and 2017 and sat among the top 50 national leaders in 2018 (+4). In 2016, the Tigers were 18th nationally in turnover margin at +8. The 2017 season saw Memphis nearly double its turnover margin at +15, which was third in FBS. The +15 turnover margin marked the Tigers’ best in the 21st century.
Notable defensive backs during Blake’s time at Memphis include TJ Carter who in 2018, was named second team American Athletic Conference corner. In 2017, Carter named ESPN.com and USA Today Freshman All-America, and American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year after setting a Memphis record with five interceptions by a freshman. In 2016, Arthur Maulet was awarded the team’s Defensive MVP and now plays for the New York Jets. Also in 2016, Chauncey Lanier was awarded the team’s Most Improved Player.
Coach Blake began his graduate studies at Harvard University before finishing his Masters of Science at the University of Memphis. He earned his Bachelors of Science at West Liberty University where he was a member of the Hilltoppers football team. Blake has also served in the United States Navy for over eight years and was a Flight Engineer on-board the P3 Orion.
Blake is a native of Stoneboro, Penn. He and his wife Ashley have a daughter named Scarlett.
Bowl Experience
- 2018, Birmingham Bowl
- 2017, Liberty Bowl
- 2016, Boca Raton Bowl
