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Bulls Add Blackwell To Staff

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 12, 2009

TAMPA - Clemson assistant David Blackwell has accepted an offer to become linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator at the University of South Florida.

Blackwell, 37, will be USF's co-defensive coordinator, while Joe Tresey will still maintain his title as USF's defensive coordinator.

Blackwell did not return a telephone call from The Tampa Tribune seeking comment.

"We are going to get him going immediately," USF coach Jim Leavitt said in a statement. "He is a great addition to our staff. He has a proven track record on the field and in recruiting. I have tremendous confidence in the assets he will bring to this program."

Blackwell spent the past six seasons as Clemson's linebackers coach, but had been bypassed twice when the Tigers named new defensive coordinators. He was moved to coach defensive tackles at Clemson this spring.

Blackwell will earn $160,000 at USF.

Before coming to Clemson, he was linebackers coach at Pittsburgh from 2000-02 and a defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Division I-AA Illinois State from 1996-99.

An East Carolina graduate, Blackwell began his coaching career at ECU as linebackers coach from 1993-95.

USF will practice today before taking next week off for spring break. Blackwell is expected to join the Bulls when they return to practice after spring break.

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928

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