Former Oklahoma football player and head coach John Blake has died at the age of 59, per a report from KWTV’s Dean Blevins.
Sad news. John Blake has died. Coach Switzer tells me it was a heart attack while out walking. Says he’d lost a lot of weight and was doing well. Prayers w the former #Sooners HC and devastated family. RIP. @news9 @OU_Football
— Dean Blevins (@DeanBlevins) July 23, 2020
Blake served as OU’s head coach from 1996-98, taking over directly after Howard Schnellenberger’s lone season.
Despite his record of 12-22, Blake built a reputation as a gifted recruiter. He recruited more than half of the starters on the 2000 championship team, including both Rocky Calmus and Roy Williams.
Blake also served as a defensive assistant at OU from 1989-92, coaching defensive linemen and linebackers.
In between his stints at OU, Blake became the defensive line for the Dallas Cowboys from 1993-95. He won two Super Bowls during his time in Dallas.
Prior to his coaching career, Blake played nose guard at OU from 1979-82.
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