June 4, 2004

Assistant Football Coach Takes Gering Position

Loper to Coach the Bulldogs

            Kearney, NE – Nebraska-Kearney head football coach Darrell Morris announced today that David Cunningham, the Lopers defensive line coach the past four years, is leaving to be the defensive coordinator at Gering High School. He will also teach physical education at an area elementary school.

            Cunningham will work at UNK through June and then take over at Gering on August 1^st.

            “We will miss Dave, but wish him and his family the very best. Our loss is Gering High’s gain,” Morris said.

            In his UNK tenure, Cunningham saw seven of his lineman earn All-RMAC recognition including defensive end Bryan Eakin, who lead the nation in forced fumbles in 2001 (seven).

            Cunningham earned four letters as a defensive lineman from 1994-97. He also was a two-time All-RMAC selection, who still holds the school record for tackles for lost yardage (53).

            The David City native has two degrees from UNK, including a Master’s degree in teaching. Prior to returning to the Lopers in 2000, Cunningham played two years in the National Indoor Football League (NIFL) with the Madison (Wisc.) Mad Dogs and Peoria (Ill.) Pirates.

            With this change, defensive coordinator Pat Stewart (6^th year) will lead the Loper defensive lineman, assistant head coach Monte Meadows (10^th year) will again coach the outside linebackers while first-year graduate assistant Jay Christensen oversees the inside linebackers.

            A defensive backfield coach will be hired soon.