New coach
Dave Brock named new head football coach at UD
2:36 p.m., Jan. 18, 2013--A new era of Blue Hen football begins today as the University of Delaware announces the selection of Dave Brock as its new head coach.
Brock, a native of Moorestown, N.J., and a veteran of 22 collegiate seasons as an assistant coach, becomes just the fifth head coach of the Blue Hens since 1940.
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The University has produced six national championships, five national runner-up finishes, 20 NCAA tournament appearances, 20 Lambert Cup trophies, three College Football Hall of Fame head coaches, and numerous All-Americans and National Football League players.
Brock replaces K.C. Keeler, who led the Blue Hens for the last 11 seasons.
“I'm thrilled to welcome Dave Brock to UD,” said University President Patrick T. Harker. “Dave has substantial coaching experience at some highly competitive schools and has nurtured an impressive roster of players. Just as importantly, Dave has a strong reputation for integrity and caring leadership. I think our student-athletes will thrive with him as their coach and mentor. And I know Dave will benefit from working with such a talented and committed group of young men.”
Brock, 46, comes to Delaware after serving one season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under coach Kyle Flood at Rutgers University. In 2012, Rutgers posted a 9-4 record, won a share of the Big East title, and advanced to the Russell Athletic Bowl.
Prior to Rutgers, Brock coached at Boston College, Kansas State, North Carolina, Temple, Hofstra, Salisbury State, and Western Connecticut State.
“When we started this search process to begin a new chapter in our football history, we received tremendous interest from around the country,” said UD Director of Athletics and Recreation Services Eric Ziady. “The interest speaks so highly of our University and of our football program’s rich tradition. In the end, it was clear that Dave Brock has the character, the experience, the passion, the recruiting skills and the leadership qualities that will enable him to lead our program to championships on the field and success off the field.”
“The opportunity to coach at a place with such a storied tradition, in the footprint of where I grew up and where I have coached most of my life, is an honor for my family and I am humbled by the opportunity,” said Brock. “The University of Delaware represents excellence in academics and athletics and I want to thank President Harker and Eric [Ziady] for inviting me into the family.”
The New Jersey native’s coaching career includes stops at North Carolina, Temple, Hofstra, Kansas State and Boston College. He has been an offensive coordinator for seven of those seasons and has mentored many current NFL standouts, including Hakeem Nicks (New York Giants), Josh Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Jordy Nelson (Green Bay Packers) and Marques Colston (New Orleans Saints).
Brock was also instrumental in recruiting quarterback Dave Shinskie, a one-time Delaware recruit who came to BC after a career in professional baseball. Despite being picked to finish last in the ACC's Atlantic Division in preseason media voting, the 2009 Eagles finished with an 8-5 record and came within one win of playing in a third consecutive ACC Championship Game.
Brock spent the 2008 season as Kansas State's offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach after coaching the wideouts in 2007. Kansas State ranked 18th nationally in passing (269.6) and 19th in scoring offense (34.9) under Brock's leadership.
As offensive coordinator at Kansas State, Brock spearheaded a Wildcat offense that produced the 2008 Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year in wide receiver Brandon Banks and Kansas State's most prolific passer in school history in quarterback Josh Freeman. Banks set a Wildcat junior record with 67 receptions and 1,049 yards last season, while Freeman became Kansas State's career leader in passing attempts, completions, yards, touchdowns and total offense in 2008.
In 2007, Brock tutored Kansas State's Jordy Nelson, who was a consensus All-American and Biletnikoff Award finalist, as well as Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year Deon Murphy. Nelson, who became the Wildcats' first-ever offensive consensus All-American, ranked second in the nation in receptions (10.2) and receiving yards per game (133.8) en route to setting 11 Kansas State receiving records.
Kansas State, which set school records for passing yards, completions and attempts in a season, also ranked 20th nationally in passing offense (285.4) and 21st in scoring offense (35.2). The Wildcats finished the season with a 3,000-yard passer, a 1,600-yard receiver and a 1,000-yard rusher for the first time in school history.
Prior to Kansas State, Brock spent two years at North Carolina, where he served as the Tar Heels' assistant head coach/recruiting coordinator and wide receivers coach. In 2005, Jarwarski Pollock became the all-time leading receiver at Carolina with 177 catches.
In 2006, Brock coached wide receiver Hakeem Nicks to honorable mention freshman All-America honors by The Sporting News as Nicks set UNC freshman records with 39 receptions for 660 yards and four touchdowns.
Before coaching at North Carolina, Brock was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for three seasons at Temple. In 2004, Temple ranked third in the Big East in rushing, generating 173.0 yards on the ground per game.
Brock served in various roles during seven seasons at Hofstra from 1995 through 2002, including running backs coach (1995), wide receivers coach/recruiting coordinator (1997-99), offensive coordinator (2000-01) and associate head coach (2002). In 2000, Hofstra finished the year ranked No. 7 with a 9-4 record.
He played linebacker at Ferrum (Va.) College before earning a bachelor of science degree in political science from Salisbury (Md.) State University in 1994.
Brock and his wife, Karen, have five children -- Henry, William, Richard, Kate, and Maggie.
Brock takes over a team that is coming off a 5-6 record in 2012 but returns 10 starters on offense and 12 players with starting experience on the defensive side. Among the returnees is Walter Payton National Player of the Year Award nominee in running back Andrew Pierce as well as All-CAA selections Bobby Kennedy and Brandon Heath on the offensive line, cornerback Travis Hawkins, and 2012 CAA and ECAC Defensive Rookie of the Year Jeff Williams at linebacker.
The 2013 season will begin on Aug. 29 at Delaware Stadium when the Blue Hens host first-time opponent Jacksonville (Fla.). The home schedule also includes games vs. Delaware State and Wagner and league foes James Madison, Albany, Towson, William and Mary, and Richmond. The Hens will also travel to Navy on Sept. 14.
What others are saying about Dave Brock
Kyle Flood, Rutgers University football head coach and former Delaware assistant coach: "I am very excited for Dave and Karen. Dave Brock is the perfect fit for the University of Delaware and he will run a football program they will always be proud of. I have two lasting memories from my time in Newark, great people and championship football. I know the people are still great and I know Dave will bring championships back to Delaware."
Jim Turner, Miami Dolphins offensive line coach and former assistant coach at Delaware, Boston College, and Temple: “Dave Brock is a great football coach. Having coached at UD, I know the culture there. He is a great fit. He is blue collar – tough and demanding. He gets the most out of his players. He is a great recruiter. Not only can he evaluate talent, he can attract it. He is a natural leader. Players want to play for him.”
Jordy Nelson, current NFL Green Bay Packers wide receiver and former All-American player at Kansas State: “In the time that I worked with Dave Brock, I learned a lot off and on the field. He's a family man and a coach who truly cares about his players. Making sure that his players are ready for life after football by getting their degree and becoming men of integrity is a high priority to Coach Brock. Creating schemes and utilizing his players' talents is a strength of his. He is a great offensive mind and played a key role in my development in becoming an NFL prospect. It was a pleasure to play for Coach Brock and I wish him much success as the head coach at the University of Delaware.”
Luke Kuechly, current NFL Carolina Panthers linebacker and candidate for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, and former All-American at Boston College: “Coach Brock's attitude toward football is what makes him successful. He is a hard working individual, which is a huge part of his success. He's a knowledgeable guy, and more importantly, he knows how to communicate well with his players. Football is a passion for him and will be noticeable very early on. I came in as a freshman (at Boston College) and he pushed me. He knows how far to push players, but at the same time he knows when to calm it down and talk to a player. I think this is what allows him to build relationships with players. I've built a relationship with him in my time at school and still maintain one with him. I'm excited for Coach Brock and the opportunity he has. He's going to make the most of it and I look forward to seeing the positive impact he makes.”
Scott Brunner, former Delaware All-American quarterback and Hall of Fame member and former NFL quarterback: “I think the Delaware football program will be in good hands with the hiring of Dave Brock as its next football coach. Being a New Jersey resident, I had the opportunity to meet Coach Brock when he was the offensive coordinator at Rutgers and was impressed with his knowledge and enthusiasm for the game. In my travels I still get to meet and talk to other professional and college coaches. Those who know Dave Brock believe his ability to motivate and inspire the people around him along with his keen attention to details have prepared him to be head coach. The fact that he does not have prior ties to Delaware is not a concern to me. Nick Saban did not have ties to Alabama yet he has still been able to achieve great success and enhance the football tradition there. I think all the fans, alumni, and students should join in to welcome Coach Brock to the Delaware family and support him in his role as the new leader of Delaware football.”
Pat Devlin, current Miami Dolphins quarterback and former Delaware All-American: "Welcome to Coach Brock. I've heard so many great things about him and I can't wait to watch the new era of Blue Hen football.”
Photos by Duane Perry