Former coach John Blake dies at age 59

Former coach John Blake dies at age 59

JOHN BLAKE -THE FIRST BLACKHEAD COACH IN SOONERS'HISTORY..

DIED OF A HEARTATTACK, AT THE AGE OF 59.SPORTS DIRECTOR CAYDENMCFARLAND JOINS US WITHREACTION FROM THE MEN WHOPLAYED FOR HIM AND COACHEDWITH HIM.MIKE..

NOT ONLY THE FIRSTBLACK HEAD COACH IN O-UFOOTBALL HISTORY..

BLAKEWAS THE FIRST BLACK HEADCOACH FOR THE SOONERS, INANY SPORT..ATHLETICS DIRECTOR, JOECASTIGLIONE..

SAYING TODAY,QUOTE..

"IS LEGACY AS O-U'SFIRST BLACK HEAD COACH ISINCREDIBLY MEANINGFUL ANDWILL LIVE ON FOREVER..

HEWAS A SOONER THROUGH ANDTHROUGH"..

-- BLAKE WAS ASTANDOUT AT CHARLES PAGEHIGH SCHOOL IN SANDSPRINGS..

PLAYED FOR BARRYSWITZER 1979-TO-82..

WONTWO SUPER BOWLS AS THEDALLAS COWBOYS DEFENSIVELINE COACH IN THE 90'S..BEFORE TAKING THE HEADCOACHING JOB AT HIS ALMAMATER IN 1996..

BLAKE WONONLY 12 GAMES IN THREESEASONS..

BUT HE WAS AN ACERECRUITER..

AS ONE OF HISFORMER ASSISTANTS, DENVERJOHNSON TOLD ME TODAY..BLAKE'S PEOPLE SKILLS..

SETTHE TABLE FOR BOB STOOPS ANDTHAT 2000 NATIONALCHAMPIONSHIP TEAM..BLAKE IS SURVIVED BY HISWIFE, FRITA AND HIS SONJORDAN..MUCH MORE ON BLAKE'S LIFEAND THAT BIG PERSONALITY..COMING UP IN SPORTS..MIKE??..A MAJ