The University of Akron Athletics
Vince Okruch Named Akron Linebackers Coach
February 26 | Football
– Vince Okruch, a defensive coordinator at four
institutions with over 30 years of coaching experience, was named
linebackers coach at The University of Akron, Zips' head coach J.D.
Brookhart announced, replacing Mike
Dawson, who accepted an assistant coaching position at Boston
College.
"Obviously, I am pleased to add yet another high-caliber coach to
our staff," Brookhart said. "He has been a defensive coordinator in
the Big Ten twice and the Big 12 once. He brings a wealth of
experience and will be an asset to our program as we continue to
move forward."
Okruch (pronounced Oh-Crew) last served as defensive coordinator on
the University of Illinois staff. Under his guidance, the 2006
Fighting Illini defense made the jump to the upper half of the Big
Ten defensively. Nationally, the Illini ranked 33rd in total
defense (310.17 ypg), 31st in pass defense (182.25 ypg) and 31st in
pass efficiency defense (115.20 rating). As if those numbers were
not impressive on their own, they are even more so considering the
fact that Illinois ranked no higher than 115 out of 117
institutions in any NCAA defensive statistic. As a team, Illinois
averaged nearly seven tackles for losses per game, ranking 26th in
the nation and third in the Big Ten. Anchoring the unit was J
Leman, a linebacker who ranked third in the NCAA and first in the
Big Ten in tackles (12.67 avg.), while ranking seventh in the NCAA
and second in the conference in tackles for loss (1.58 per
game).
Okruch came to Illinois after one season as linebackers coach at
Louisiana-Monroe and one year as defensive coordinator at Western
Illinois. With the ULM, the Warhawks posted a 5-2 conference record
to be Sun Belt co-champions.
Prior to those two short stints, he spent five seasons as the
defensive coordinator at University of Colorado. During his time at
Colorado, the Buffs' defense held opponents to under 100 yards
rushing 18 times and limited their foes to below 300 yards total
offense on 12 occasions. In 2001, CU finished the season 10-3,
ranking ninth in the nation and qualifying for the BCS in the
Fiesta Bowl as the Big XII champions. Colorado additionally gained
berths to the Insight Bowl in 1999 and the Alamo Bowl in 2002 as
the Big Ten North Champions.
Before heading to Colorado, Okruch was part of Gary Barnett's staff
at Northwestern, which won two Big Ten titles and made a trip to
the 1996 Rose Bowl and 1997 Citrus Bowl. He served as defensive
line coach for five years and two seasons as the Wildcats'
defensive coordinator.
From 1985-91, he was a member of the University of Minnesota staff,
working under Lou Holtz and John Gutekunst. The Gophers went to
1986 Liberty Bowl in his first year as a full-time assistant at the
Division I level, coaching the running backs.
A 1977 graduate of Culver-Stockton College, Okruch earned four
letters as both a quarterback and tight end, while also playing
baseball. After completing his bachelor's degree in physical
education, he went on to earn his master's degree at Northeast
Missouri State in 1980.
He began his coaching career upon graduation as the defensive backs
coach at his alma mater. Then, after completing his master's
degree, Okruch returned to his alma mater to serve as the head
coach from 1980-82. The Buffalo, N.Y., native and his wife, Janet,
have two children; a daughter, Taylor, and a son, Jordan.
The Okruch File
Date of Birth: August 8, 1955
Hometown: Buffalo, N.Y.
High School: Cardinal O'Hara, 1973
College: Culver-Stockton College, 1977 (B.S., Education)
Master's: Northeast Missouri State, 1980 (M.S. Education)
Wife: the former Janet Hammonds
Children: Daughter Taylor, Son Jordan
Playing Experience: QB and TE at Culver-Stockton College.
