JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman head football coach Ken Sparks has announced the hiring of former Clark Atlanta offensive coordinator Brock Pursley as the program's next receivers coach.
Pursley replaces David Needs, who returns to coach Carson-Newman's track and field team full time.
"Brock's got great experience for someone who's a young coach," Sparks said. "He's had a lot of responsibility as a coordinator both at Brevard and Clark Atlanta. He's pretty progressed in that regard and I'm excited to see how he makes that fit with kids. He does a great job with that."
Pursley most recent job was Clark Atlanta's offensive coordinator, prior to that he was an associate head coach, coordinator and running backs coach at Brevard.
In 2011, Pursley coached slotback Kelvin Jeter to his second All-Conference performance as the BC rushing attack averaged 248.2 yards per game and ranked eighth in the nation.
In 2010, Brevard's rushing yards per game ranked 4th in the nation at 289.2 yards per game. Pursley coached Jeter to the first 1,000 yard rusher in BC history and a South Atlantic Freshman of the Year honor. Jeter was named First Team All-Conference as well as an All-Region selection and was 2nd in the conference in rushing yards per game. Jeter also led the nation at 8.5 yards per carry.
"He's a real positive teacher," Sparks said. "He sees the positive things that the kids do and is an encourager and corrector in that. He's got a great eye for fixing things because he's been responsible for so much in the past."
Prior to Brevard, Pursley was at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill where he served as a student-assistant under head coaches Butch Davis and John Bunting, offensive coordinator John Shoop, as well as defensive coordinator and current Indianapolis Colts Head Coach, Chuck Pagano.
While at UNC, Pursley worked with the defense on game days helping chart offensive personnel, formations, and plays, as well as assisting in the film breakdown of opponents. Pursley also worked the summers at UNC helping assist John Shoop during camps by coaching a group of quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers. Pursley was on staff during the 2008 Mineke Car Care Bowl, which was the only the third bowl game in ten years for UNC. Pursley was also a member of the nationally ranked men's fencing team while at UNC.
"Brock's a great addition to our family of young coaches," Sparks said. "We're just really blessed with an exceptional group of men. It's a pretty good combination."
Prior to going to UNC, Pursley attended Northeast Guilford High School in McLeansville, N.C., where he was a four year quarterback and captain. In 2004, NEGHS was crowed Eastern NC State Champions. Pursley still holds records at NEGHS for highest completion percentage, yards per completion, and lowest TD:INT ratio. He is also one of three quarterbacks at NEGHS to throw for more than 1,000 yards in a season.
Pursley is the son of Tommy and Lisa Pursley, both graduates and student-athletes of Appalachian State. He is married to the former Stephanie Rice.