Greg Mark - Football

From 1986-89, Greg Mark anchored one of the most punishing defensive lines in University of Miami football history, as well as in college football.
Along with Mark, the fabled 1989 defensive line also included Russell Maryland, Cortez Kennedy, Willis Peguese, Jimmie Jones Shane Curry and Eric Miller.
Mark's 1989 defense was considered the best in school history. The defense led the nation in scoring defense (9.3 points per game) and total defense (216.5 yards per game). The unit also finished the year ranked No. 2 in the NCAA in rushing defense (69.1 yards per game) and No. 4 in passing defense (147.4 yards per game). Mark was the defensive lines' best in 1989 registering 15.5 sacks on the year, behind the team's school-record 52.
Mark's five-year career at Miami culminated with First-Team All-America honors by Kodak and the Associated Press in 1989, as well as a semifinalist nod for the prestigious Lombardi Award. Mark was also part of two national championship teams at UM in 1987 and 1989. Mark finished his career with 35 starts, 253 tackles, 95 quarterback pressures and 34.5 total sacks.
He was a 3rd round draft pick by the New York Giants in 1990, and also saw action with the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins. Mark redshirted his first season at Miami in 1985 after coming to Coral Gables from New Jersey state champion Pennsauken High School. As a freshman in 1986, Mark was able to see action as the fourth defensive end behind Daniel Stubbs, Bill Hawkins and Jimmie Jones. Among his rookie season highlights was extended game action against Cincinnati when the line was hit by the injury bug and responded with six tackles and two sacks.
Mark started nine games as a sophomore in 1987 and set a new single-season record for tackle assists at the defensive tackle position (53). He finished the season as the No. 4 tackler (88) and was ranked second only by Stubbs in sacks (8), tackles for loss (12-22 yards) and quarterback pressures (25).
After spending a year at defensive tackle in 1987, Mark's junior season in 1988 allowed him to switch back to the end position. Mark chimed in that season with a team-high 42 quarterback pressures, while ranking second with eight sacks. In his first career start at end, Mark checked in with five tackles and one sack against Missouri.
Against Nebraska in the Orange Bowl Classic, Mark had two of the Hurricanes five sacks along with three solo tackles.
After his playing career in the NFL, Mark returned to Coral Gables as a graduate assistant in 1992. He coached at UM through the 1994 season, and then moved to Utah State to coach the defensive line. Mark returned to Miami as defensive line coach in 1996 where he still currently coaches. His efforts in coaching resemble those as a player, when he oversaw a group in 2001 that was a vital part of the Hurricanes' drive to the National Championship as the UM defensive linemen spearheaded a defense that led the nation in scoring defense, pass efficiency defense and turnover margin while ranking in the top 10 nationally in five statistical categories.
In just six seasons at UM, Mark has developed the talents of four players who have went on to become first-round draft choices in the NFL Draft: Warren Sapp (1995), Kenard Lang (1997), Kenny Homes (1997), and Damione Lewis (2001). In 1996, he coached a pair of first-round draft picks, Kenard Lang and Kenny Holmes. As a graduate assistant in 1994, he assisted with a defensive line led the nation in scoring defense, total defense, and pass efficiency defense. He also played an integral role in the development of Heisman Trophy finalist, Lombardi Award Winner, and first-round draft choice Warren Sapp.