David Blackburn
ETSU Head Football Coach George Quarles announced on Monday afternoon the addition of David Blackburn to the staff as the new Director of Football Operations. Blackburn will join the staff in March prior to the beginning of spring practices.
“I have had the privilege of knowing David Blackburn for many years and I am thrilled to welcome him to our staff,” stated Quarles.
“David has had tremendous success at Tennessee as both a Director of Operations and as an administrator as well as achieving great things at both Chattanooga and Middle Tennessee. I know he will bring years of experience and knowledge to this team and I look forward to continuing our friendship here in East Tennessee.”
Blackburn most recently completed a stint at Middle Tennessee State where he retired as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs. Blackburn was hired at MTSU in 2018 and played a key role in the department, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Blackburn brings years of experience in the football realm, serving on the University of Tennessee football staff from 1992-2002 where he began as an assistant recruiting coordinator and developed into a long time Director of Football Operations. In his 10 years as a football administrator, the Volunteers amassed a 108-28 overall record, including 6-5 in bowl games. While on staff, Tennessee won the 1998 NCAA Championship, defeating Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl by the final of 23-16.
Blackburn moved into an administrative role in the athletics department at Tennessee in 2003 and remained there until he was hired as the Athletics Director at Chattanooga in 2013. During that time, Blackburn hired ETSU Athletic Director, Scott Carter, as a fundraiser for the Volunteers where they worked together for nine years.
“I’m so excited to welcome David Blackburn into our ETSU Athletics Family,” stated Carter. “He is respected across the country as one of the best in the business of college athletics. David has been one of the most influential people in my life, both personally and professionally, and he will be an incredible asset to our Football Program and this University.”
Blackburn served as the Chattanooga Athletic Director from 2013 to 2018, where he then transitioned to Murfreesboro, Tenn. Under his guidance at Chattanooga, the Mocs became the first SoCon school to win the conference title in football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball in the same season.