UNC Associate Head Football Coach Blake Steps Down

Chapel Hill, NC, United States (AHN) – John Blake, the associate head football coach at UNC-Chapel Hill, stepped down from his post Sunday night according to the school.

Blake was reportedly a part of the investigation into Tar Heels players’ contact with sports agents.

“[I]t has become apparent to me over the course of the past few weeks that my presence has become a distraction to my family and to this great University, too,” Blake said in a statement released by the school.

Thirteen players missed the Tar Heels opener Saturday night, a 30-24 loss to LSU, though Blake did coach.

Part of the suspensions were also due to some of the players activity with a tutor who allegedly did papers for some of them.

Blake will get his salary for the remainder of the season, $74,500.

Blake, a long-time friend and associate of head coach Butch Davis, was largely responsible for the Tar Heels inking standout tackle Marvin Austin.

Blake is also close to NFL agent Gary Wichard, which drew the interest of the NCAA as former UNC defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer is also a client.

Balmer reportedly paid for a trip to a training facility for Austin and former teammate Cam Thomas.

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