Blake Stone

Blake Stone

When Reilly Murphy recently departed as offensive coordinator Gannon head football coach Erik Raeburn was left with a huge gap to fill with the season fast approaching. Raeburn was able to reach into his past to quickly find a strong replacement.

Raeburn announced the appointment of Blake Stone as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach on July 9. 2024. Stone is no stranger to the Golden Knight program, serving as an assistant coach at Gannon for two seasons. He was part of Raeburn's 2022 staff that led Gannon to an 8-3 record and a share of the PSAC West title.

"We are excited for Blake to return to Gannon," related Raeburn. "He knows our scheme but more importantly, he knows our players. Our team is happy he is back."

Stone spent this past season as the offensive line coach at Division I Presbyterian. He had previously played for Blue Hose head coach Steve Englehart. He mentored three offensive linemen who earned All-Pioneer League honorable mention honors.

The opportunity to return to Gannon and also assume the role of offensive coordinator proved very enticing to Blake. "Returning to Gannon in the role of the offensive coordinator is an exciting experience, blending familiarity with fresh challenges," Stone commented. "It underscores the values of maintaining relationships and seizing opportunities for growth. This journey back to Gannon was an easy decision because of the sense of camaraderie and mutual support among our players and staff."  

Stone originally joined the Gannon staff in 2021 as the defensive line coach then moved over to coach the offensive line in 2022. While the Golden Knights finished with an 8-3 record, one win shy of the school record for wins, Stone produced a pair of All-PSAC West performers in Jacob Petit and Montana Nietert. The duo helped Gannon average 31.6 ppg. and 407.2 yards in total offense. The Golden Knights ranked fourth in scoring offense and third in total offense in the PSAC.

Petit and Nietert paved the way for Melvin Blanks to finish third in the PSAC in rushing and Antonio Wright Jr. eighth. Gannon ran for 200-or-more yards on five occasions and averaged 145.5 ypg. rushing, sixth in the PSAC.

The front four was the strength of the Gannon defense in 2021, featuring Nick White. The defensive end was accorded Don Hansen All-American honors and was a first team All-PSAC West honoree.

Stone, a Jacksonville, Florida native, joined the Gannon program after serving the previous two years on the staff at Middle Tennessee State. He served as a quality control coach in 2019, followed by a year as a defensive graduate assistant in 2020.  

Stone played on the offensive line at Charleston Southern and later Florida Tech. He played in and started 11 of 13 games at offensive guard at Charleston Southern in 2013, grading out at 84 percent and totaling 32 knockdowns. Stone stepped up as part of an offensive line that helped Christian Reyes shatter the program's single-season rushing record with 1,254 yards. He was part of a unit that enabled CSU to lead the country in average time of possession, while ranking 17th in rushing offense. He played in eight games on the offensive line in 2012.

He completed his playing career at Florida Tech where he played for Englehart. In 2015 he was a USA College Football All-American and earned second team All-Gulf South Conference honors. He also served as a long snapper, playing in 11 games in his final season in 2017. He was part of an FIT team that earned a spot in the NCAA Division II Playoffs in 2016.

After completing his studies at Florida Tech, Stone served as an assistant coach at Edward H. White High School in his hometown of Jacksonville, coaching the Commanders' offensive line and tight ends while also in charge of strength and conditioning.

Stone earned his bachelor's degree in Humanities with a focus in Philosophy from Florida Institute of Technology in 2018.