Bob Crocker, a Kearney native, is in his fourth year as a Loper assistant coach.

            He also is a 1985 graduate of UNK, receiving an Education degree.

            "We are very excited to have Bob joining our staff," said Morris. "He brings a ton of experience to the table. Our student-athletes will benefit from a relationship with Coach Crocker."

            Joining the team in July 2005, Crocker was associate head coach and outside linebackers coach that season. 

            In 2006, and again in 2007, he served as defensive coordinator and OLB’s coach. This year, he'll be d-coordinator and secondary coach.

            He also works closely with the Loper special teams.

            As leader of the UNK defense, Crocker saw the ‘06 Lopers give up just 14.5 points per game, the lowest by UNK defense in 20 years.

            The number also helped the Lopers lead the RMAC in scoring defense for the second straight year.

            Senior safety Paul Jimenez earned All-RMAC honors for a third straight year with OLB Kirk Peterson being named RMAC Special Teams Player of the Year.

            Last season, the Lopers ranked fourth in the league in scoring defense (20..5) and were third best in the stopping the run (98.0 ypg) in the RMAC.

            Prior to returning to Kearney, Crocker was assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Division II Arkansas-Monticello. Also leading the Boll Weevils defensive secondary, he held the positions from 2002-04.

            While at UAM, Crocker saw some of the top teams in Division II -- Valdosta State (Ga.) and North Alabama --  on a regular basis.

            Before Monticello, Crocker was an assistant coach, or was a graduate assistant, at I-AA James Madison in Virginia (1995-99), Kansas (1990-92) and 1994) and Mississippi (1999-01).

            At these three institutions, Crocker coached on both sides of the ball, worked with special teams and was involved with recruiting.

            Crocker's coaching career began at Kearney High in 1982.  After three years with the Bearcats, he moved onto Garden City High (Kans.) where he was an assistant football, baseball and wrestling coach for four seasons.     

            Before moving into college, Crocker -- a Kearney Catholic graduate -- was head coach at Salina South (Kans.) High in 1992 and 1993.

            In addition to his degree in education from UNK, Crocker  holds a Master's degree in Sports Administration/Psychology-Sociology from Kansas..