Fifth-year assistant coach Bill Clark has had no problem translating his success during a nine-year stint as head coach of one of the most successful high schools in Alabama to the collegiate level.
Clark — who will work with linebackers in the fall — coordinated a unit last season that was among the leaders in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision in several categories as the Jaguars began the two-year transition to the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level. USA ranked 10th out of 121 schools in pass defense, allowing 167 yards per contest, and 16th in total defense (309.7 ypg) while holding four of 10 opponents to a single-digit scoring total. Highlights included back-to-back games against Henderson (Ark.) State and Mississippi Valley State in which the Jaguars did not allow a touchdown, as well as holding NCAA FBS foe Kent State to just 281 yards of total offense while forcing more than two turnovers per game.
Twenty members of the defense achieved a double-figure tackle total in 2011, with half of that group contributing at least one sack. And, 16 individuals had a hand — either forcing or recovering — 15 takeaways via fumble while seven had a hand in collecting eight interceptions.
In his first season as a starter, Jake Johnson paced the unit with a school-record 83 tackles, while Clark was able to get newcomers Charles Harris and B.J. Scott to contribute immediately with 81 and 48 stops, respectively, in the secondary.
In their initial year on the field under Clark’s direction, the Jags surrendered just 41 total points and 234 yards per game to finish the year 7-0. That included allowing no points in the opening quarter of any contest and 12 in the first half as USA never trailed during its inaugural season.
Clark’s unit would give up 225 total yards or fewer in five straight games in the middle of the year, while in the season finale against Huntingdon (Ala.) College the Jags allowed a total of 236 yards to a unit that entered the contest leading the NCAA Division III level in the category in recording the program’s second shutout of the season.
It was a balanced group that contributed to the unit’s success, as nine individuals recorded at least 20 total stops and 17 ended the season with 10 or more tackles. USA sacked the opposing quarterback on 25 occasions in seven games and forced 23 turnovers after intercepting 14 passes and recovering nine fumbles.
The Jag defense was nearly as stingy in the program’s second season of competition, ending the 2010 campaign allowing only 255 yards and 13 points per contest in helping USA to another undefeated mark (10-0). The Jaguars gave up just 81.2 yards per game rushing, a total of 28 points in the third quarter of 10 contests and just 20 second-quarter points all season. The group averaged nearly 2½ sacks per game, recorded 25 total takeaways (15 interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries) and allowed the opposition to convert on just 26 percent of its third-down opportunities.
In addition to shutting out three of 10 opponents, the Jags also held two others to a single-digit scoring total. USA allowed five schools less than 250 yards of total offense, highlighted by a school-record 88 given up to Pikeville (Ky.) in the season opener.
Eight individuals in the group posted at least 20 tackles, with six of those credited with 30 or more stops including a pair of individuals — Enrique Williams and Justin Dunn — who finished with better than 40. A total of 27 players made at least one stop behind the line of scrimmage, with 16 collecting at least one of the Jags’ 24 sacks.
Clark came to South Alabama after nine years as head coach of the two-time Alabama Class 6A champion Prattville Lions. His last two teams won 30 straight games, while the 2007 squad was ranked No. 2 in the nation in the USA Today’s national high school poll. Following his final season at PHS, he was named the Alabama High School Athletic Association Coach of the Year and was also selected Schutt Southeast Regional Coach of the Year.
He first led the Lions to the state 6A playoffs in 2000, his second season guiding the program, where they lost by two points in the opening round. Clark earned his first postseason victory a year later, helping PHS advance to the quarterfinals before falling to the eventual state champion, which is where the Lions’ season would end each of the next two falls.
Prattville made its first state championship game appearance under Clark in 2004, with the team allowing three touchdowns in four postseason contests leading up to the final including recording a pair of shutouts. The Lions advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2005 playoffs before dropping a two-point decision as well.
Clark posted a 107-11 (90.7%) overall record during his tenure, suffering his last regular-season loss during the second week of the 2002 season.
Clark served on the staff of the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic three times, including as head coach in the summer of 2007. He also served as head coach in the 2004 North-South All-Star Game.
Following graduation from Jacksonville State in 1990 with a degree in physical education, Clark began his coaching career as an assistant at Piedmont High School. There, he helped guide the Bulldogs to the state 3A playoffs in both of his seasons at the school, including reaching the quarterfinals his first fall. He later coached at Tuscaloosa County High School, Coffee County (Ga.) High School and Dothan High School — the last stop before taking over at Prattville, he led DHS to back-to-back appearances in the state 6A playoffs, which included picking up a first-round victory in 1998.
Clark and his wife, Jennifer, have two children, Katie (17) and Jacob (15).
The Clark File
Born: June 28, 1968, in Anniston, Ala.
Education:
Jacksonville State ’90, bachelor’s degree in physical education
Coaching Experience:
Piedmont (Ala.) High — assistant coach, 1990-91
Tuscaloosa County (Ala.) High — assistant coach, 1992-94
Coffee County (Ga.) High — assistant coach, 1995-96
Dothan (Ala.) High — assistant coach, 1997-98
Prattville (Ala.) High — head coach, 1999-07
South Alabama — assistant head coach/defensive coordinator, 2008-
Family: Wife, Jennifer; One daughter, Katie (17) and one son, Jacob (15)
