MOBILE, Ala. — Jacksonville State University has selected South Alabama defensive coordinator Bill Clark as its next head football coach, with a formal introduction scheduled at a news conference on Wednesday.
Clark, who also served as assistant head coach for the Jaguars, replaces Jack Crowe, who was recently dismissed by the Gamecocks. Jacksonville State received several applications for the opening, including candidates with experience at Bowl Championship Series programs and others with previous college head coaching experience.
A Return Home for Clark
Clark, 44, is a native of Anniston and a 1990 graduate of Jacksonville State. The position will be his first as a head coach at the college level.
“It means a lot,” Clark told AL.com. “When you set some goals in life and to achieve one of those goals you set at an early age, it’s gratifying. It’s real gratifying.”
Clark said returning to the area where he grew up and attended school carries added meaning.
“I think to go back to where there are people you know and in the surrounding areas, you feel like you’re going to be representing more than yourself,” Clark said. “You’re going to be representing people you went to school with and people you played ball with and family. That’s what it’s all about.”
Record of Success at Prattville
Before entering college coaching, Clark built a high school powerhouse at Prattville High School. He led the Lions to two Class 6A state championships, and his final two teams won 30 consecutive games. His 2007 team was ranked No. 2 in the nation in the USA Today high school poll, and he won more than 90 percent of his games during his tenure there.
Following his final season at Prattville, Clark was named Coach of the Year by the Alabama High School Athletic Association and received the Schutt Southeast Regional Coach of the Year award.
Building the South Alabama Defense
Clark was among the first assistants hired by South Alabama head coach Joey Jones as Jones assembled the staff for the Jaguars’ new football program. Jones gave Clark the titles of assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.
In 2012, South Alabama’s fourth season of play and its first as a member of the Sun Belt Conference, the Jaguars’ defense ranked second in the league.
Jones said Tuesday he was pleased for his longtime friend.
“I’m very happy for Bill and his family,” Jones told AL.com. “I appreciate what he’s done to help build this program at South Alabama. You’re always happy for someone in this profession to move up and get a job they want, so I’m very happy for him and his family. He meant a lot to me. We’re great friends and will continue to be.”
Jones added that the two would always share the experience of starting the program. “I think we’ll always have that in the back of our minds, of starting this program at South Alabama and how gratifying it has been to build this thing and that’s something he was a part of,” he said. “I appreciate everything he’s done.”
Clark described his time in Mobile as rewarding.
“To get to come here and be the start of building a program and to see it done the right way, that’s a plus,” Clark said. “We were so supported here. Joey and I were friends before we started this and that will remain the same. To get to be with a friend to do this was special.”
Clark Outlines Goals for Gamecocks
Clark said his priorities at Jacksonville State include academic success for his players and an entertaining team on the field.
“There’s so many things that you want to bring to the table, but when you’re talking about student-athletes, you want to bring them in there and get them a degree and put a great product on the field,” he said. “The thing we want to bring is excitement.”
He called football “the face of a school” and said he wants the program to project a strong image to the community.
“Obviously, a coach’s job is to bring people together and bring the community together, so that’s the thing I’m looking forward to at Jacksonville,” Clark said.
Clark said the work would begin immediately, with staffing decisions and recruiting at the top of the list.
“You know how coaches are, in the first five minutes you’ve turned the switch and you’re worried about players and recruiting and what have they been doing in the weight room and getting my staff on board,” he said. “It’s real satisfying and it’s real exciting, but it’s time to go to work.”
What It Means for South Alabama
Jones now must hire a new defensive coordinator and may need to replace other staff members if any follow Clark to Jacksonville State.
It was not immediately clear what effect the change might have on South Alabama’s junior college commitments, who became eligible to sign with schools beginning Wednesday. The national signing day for high school recruits is in early February, giving Jones time to fill the coordinator position before then.
