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Feb. 28—CHAMPAIGN — His name is rarely in the headlines. And he doesn’t do many media interviews.
In fact, his appearance Monday night was a first for him at the Esquire Lounge in downtown Champaign for the weekly “SportsTalk” show on WDWS.
Pat Embleton keeps his head down and goes about his work. He is working with his fourth head football coach at Illinois, a testament to both his ability to spot talent and his good-natured personality.
I would argue that during the past decade, nobody has had a greater effect on the Illinois football personnel than Embleton. Not that he is going to take credit.
A quick history of Embleton. He joined Tim Beckman’s staff after playing and coaching at Division III Ohio Wesleyan, home of the Battling Bishops.
The Chesterland, Ohio, native is now in his 12th year with the Illinois football program. Some folks might even call him a townie now.
It isn’t a straight line. Three times, the staff he worked for got fired: Beckman, Bill Cubit and Lovie Smith were all shown the door.
How is he still here?
“I’ve been (hired) four times,” he said. “That’s a good thing.”
It was disruption, though thankfully a temporary one.
“Every time the coach got let go, my wife (Jessica) and I had just recently bought a house,” he said. “We’re done buying houses.”
When Bret Bielema took over after the 2020 season, Embleton sat down with new boss in his first week.
“I gave him my story, my background, and I think he saw some value in it,” Embleton said. “I love Coach Bielema. I think he’s the best head coach I’ve worked for, and I love where we’re headed.”
Important jobEmbleton’s current title is executive director of personnel and recruiting. His task is to go get guys.
And not just any guys, but players who fit the Illinois system.
He oversees the recruiting department, working with Bielema on roster management and…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bob-asmussen-behind-scenes-embleton-154800430.html
Author : The News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
Publish date : 2024-02-28 15:48:00
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