Brian Rock

Position: Wide Receivers

Brian Rock is in his fifth season as wide receivers coach. He was named to the position Feb. 27, 2006.

In 2009, Keith Smith led the Big Ten with 91 catches (third-most in school history) and 1,110 receiving yards (fifth-most) en route to earning first team all-conference honors. Dorien Bryant topped the Big Ten in receptions in 2006 and 2007 (87 both seasons) while setting the Purdue career record with 6,219 all-purpose yards, the fourth-most in Big Ten history. He was named first team all-conference in 2006.

Rock came to the Boilermakers from Western Michigan, where he was an assistant from 1992 to 2005 under three head coaches: Al Molde (1992-96), Gary Darnell (1997-2004) and Bill Cubit (2005). Rock coached wide receivers from 1997 to 2004 as well as tight ends (1992-96 and 2000-04), offensive tackles (1992-96) and running backs (2005). He served as offensive coordinator from 2000 to 2004 and special teams coordinator from 1997 to 1999 and in 2005. The Broncos captured Mid-American Conference West Division championships in 1999 and 2000.

Western Michigan ranked eighth nationally in passing offense in 2003 - averaging 308.4 yards per game - and 16th in 2004 - averaging 264.8 yards per game. During the 2003 season, Western Michigan had two 1,000-yard receivers for the first time in school history in Greg Jennings (1,050) and Kendrick Mosley (1,019). Jennings became the Broncos' career leader in receptions, receiving touchdowns and all-purpose yards and went on to play with the Green Bay Packers. Rock also developed and coached tight end Tony Scheffler of the Denver Broncos.

Prior to his tenure at Western Michigan, Rock was defensive coordinator at Saint Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Ind., from 1987 to 1991. He also coached the defensive backs and special teams. Rock was a graduate assistant at Bowling Green in 1985 and 1986.

Widely regarded for his enthusiasm and innovation, Rock has authored several articles on football strategy. His piece "Scoring Zone Efficiency" appeared in American Football Monthly in 2005.

A native of Bowling Green, Ohio, Rock (born Aug. 6, 1962) earned a bachelor's degree in business education in 1985 and a master's of education in sports management in 1986, both from Bowling Green. As an undergraduate, he was an assistant coach at Bowling Green High School. Rock and his wife, Lori, have a daughter, Kirsten, and two sons, Nathan and T.K.

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