Bernard Clark, a Tampa native, a standout linebacker at the University of Miami, and a former NFL player, was named to the USF staff March 23, 2006 after two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Florida International University.
At Florida International, Clark worked to improve a defensive unit that allowed 478 yards per game against a I-AA schedule in 2004 to one that gave up 375 yards per game against a I-A schedule in 2005. Although Florida Intrernational was not included in national rankings in 2005 due to its re-classification process, the defense would have ranked among the top 60 in I-A after ranking 115th in I-AA in 2004.
Against Florida Atlantic in 2005, Clark’s defense tied an NCAA record when it returned four interceptions for touchdowns.
Clark began his college coaching in 1998 at James Madison University, where he was defensive ends coach in 1998 and 1999. He then moved to Liberty University, where he was linebacker and special teams coach from 2000-2003. In his six seasons between James Madison and Liberty, Clark was on an opposing sideline from the Bulls three times. His 1999 James Madison team defeated the Bulls, while USF beat Liberty in 2000 and 2001.
Prior to joining the college coaching ranks, Clark first coached as a volunteer at Tampa’s King High School in 1996 before being named defensive coordinator at Lakeland Santa Fe in 1997.
As a linebacker at Miami, Clark was on the Hurricanes’ 1987 and 1989 National Championship teams, and he won the MVP award in the 1988 Orange Bow. A 1989 graduate of Miami, he was drafted by Cincinnati that year in the third round. He played two seasons with the Bengals and then spent one camp with Dallas in 1992, before playing with Orlando in the Arena League in 1994 and 1996.
Clark attended Miami out of Tampa’s Leto High School, where he was a highly recruited athlete.
Clark, 39, is married to wife, Tammy.
