Greg Blache

Greg Blache (born March 9, 1949) is the defensive coordinator of the Washington Redskins. He served as Defensive Coordinator-Defensive Line 2004 through 2007 for the Redskins. He served as the Chicago Bears' defensive coordinator for five years prior to joining the Redskins.

On Jan. 26, 2008, Blache was named defensive coordinator of the Redskins. He had spent the previous four seasons leading the Redskins' defensive line unit.

Blache previously was defensive coordinator in Chicago. In 2003, Blache's Chicago defense finished the season fifth in the NFC in total defense, and 14th in the NFL, the team's highest league overall-ranking since the 1998 season.

During his tenure, Blache's defenses forced 138 turnovers, including 37 in 2001, the most by a Bears defense since 1990, and accounted for 13 touchdowns (two in 1999, four in 2000, five in 2001, one in 2002, and one in 2003).

In 2002, Blache dealt with numerous injuries, leading to 11 different starting line-ups over the course of 16 games. While juggling personnel, the Bears defense continued with their attacking, aggressive style that set records during the 2001 season.

They forced 64 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and reached a league plateau by forcing at least one turnover in 33 consecutive games, the second longest active streak in the NFL at the time.

In 2001, Blache molded the Bears defense into one of the top units in the league, producing the top-ranked scoring defense by allowing only 203 points in 16 games (12.7 points per game). His run defense finished second in the NFL and first in the NFC, allowing just 82.1 yards per game, while allowing only three rushes of 20 yards or more all seasons and only six rushing touchdowns.

Prior to joining the Bears, Blache served as defensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts for five seasons (1994-98) and held the same position with the Green Bay Packers for six years (1988-93).

In addition to his pro coaching experience, Blache has held positions with several college programs. He began his coaching career as a defensive assistant at his alma mater Notre Dame in 1968, after suffering a leg injury that ended his playing career. Following his graduation in 1971, he stayed on as a graduate assistant and then as an assistant coach for the Fighting Irish for four more seasons (1972-75).

He moved on to join Tulane's staff in 1976, where he coached the offensive line (1976-77), outside linebackers (1978-79) and defensive backs (1980). He then returned to Notre Dame to coach the running backs (1981), defensive line and outside linebackers (1982-83). After spending 1984-85 as defensive coordinator of the USFL's Jacksonville Bulls, he returned to the college ranks at Southern University (1986) and Kansas (1987).

Blache started his collegiate career as a defensive back for Notre Dame, but a leg injury ended his playing career prematurely.

He earned his bachelor's degree in sociology and a Master's Degree in secondary education, both from Notre Dame. A New Orleans native, Blache and his wife, Lynn, have six children: Greg Jr., Jennifer, Christopher, Sarah, Corrine and Matthew. They live in Leesburg, Virginia.

External links

* [http://www.redskins.com/team/cprofile.jsp?id=30 Official Redskins website biography of Coach Blache]