What to know about late UCF football coach Shawn Clark
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What to know about late UCF football coach Shawn Clark
UCF offensive line coach Shawn Clark died at age 50 following a medical emergency. Clark previously served as the head coach at Appalachian State, his alma mater. He was hired by UCF in January and is survived by his wife and two children. The Knights will wear helmet decals with his initials for the remainder of the season. The team will play a Big 12 football game against Kansas State on Saturday, Sept. 27, just six days after the death of Clark, 50. The cause of Clark’s death has not been officially announced, but his family and UCF have said it was a “medical emergency” The Knights have surrendered only three sacks through three games while averaging 5.9 yards per carry. The game is scheduled for noon Saturday in Manhattan, Kansas. It will be the team’s first trip to the Big 12 Championship Game since the 2010 season, when UCF won the national championship. It was also the first time the Knights had played in the title game since the 1996 season, which they also won.
Clark previously served as the head coach at Appalachian State, his alma mater.
He was hired by UCF in January and is survived by his wife and two children.
It’s the end of an emotional week for the UCF Knights.
They will hit the field and play a Big 12 football game against Kansas State on Saturday, Sept. 27, just six days after the death of offensive line coach Shawn Clark at age 50. He had suffered a “medical emergency” earlier in the month.
To honor Clark, the Knights will wear helmet decals with his initials for the remainder of the season.
Head coach Scott Frost says his team will be playing for Clark. Kickoff is scheduled for noon Saturday in Manhattan, Kansas.
“For sure. I definitely do (think they’ll be inspired),” Frost said. “That’s just football, but our offensive guys — and our offensive linemen, in particular — spent a lot of time with him than the defensive guys. But I know it’s affected everybody on the team.”
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After routing North Carolina to improve to 3-0 last weekend, multiple UCF players and coaches dedicated the victory to Clark.
Here are a few things to know about the late coach.
Shawn Clark cause of death not announced
Clark had a medical emergency on Sept. 9 during UCF’s bye week. He remained in the hospital until his death Sept. 21.
Neither his family nor UCF have officially announced the cause.
What UCF head coach Scott Frost said about Shawn Clark
The Knights’ normal game week press conference was postponed from Monday morning to Wednesday. There, Frost, along with offensive coordinator Steve Cooper and defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, spoke about Clark.
“The biggest thing is heartbreak for Jonelle, Braxton and Giana (Clark’s wife and two children),” Frost said. “I know (athletic director Terry Mohajir) and UCF are going to do everything they can for them financially, which says a lot about the type of people that work here and that are here. All of us will be supportive in any way we can.
“From my standpoint, I just miss my friend. I wasn’t around him as long as I’ve been around some other people, but he just had an energy and a spirit about him, one of my favorite guys I’ve ever been around and coached with. It’s just a tough deal.”
Shawn Clark played, coached for App State football
Clark enjoyed a long relationship with Appalachian State.
He suited up for the Mountaineers between 1994 and ’98, becoming a two-time All-American and three-time all-conference offensive lineman. His teams compiled a 45-16 record.
Clark graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 1998. Later, he obtained a master’s in education from Louisville.
After 15 years as an assistant at Louisville, Eastern Kentucky, Purdue and Kent State, he returned to App State as O-line coach and co-offensive coordinator in 2016. He served under Scott Satterfield and Eliah Drinkwitz.
When Drinkwitz left for Missouri, the Mountaineers elevated Clark to head coach on Dec. 13, 2019. In five seasons, his squads posted a 40-24 record, including a 3-1 mark in bowl games.
Clark was dismissed last December after a 5-6 showing in 2024.
Shawn Clark hired by UCF football in January
The Knights signed Clark in early January. Frost and Clark had never worked together, but when Frost interviewed Clark for the offensive line position, both knew it was a good fit.
Soon, the players discovered the same.
“Coach Clark brings the room together,” UCF right tackle Preston Cushman said in August. “He brings us tight-knit as a group. You want to work for a guy like that, that believes in you and wants the best in you. You want to give it all for him.”
The Knights have surrendered only three sacks through three games while averaging 5.9 yards per carry.
Shawn Clark has wife, two kids
Clark and his wife, Jonelle, have two children: daughter Giana and son Braxton.
Jonelle was a star softball pitcher at Eastern Kentucky. She set numerous program records and was inducted into the school’s athletics hall of fame in 2008.
When fall camp started, Clark talked with the Daytona Beach News-Journal’s Chris Boyle about devoting virtually all his summer free time to watching his kids play their respective travel sports and loving every minute of it.
“He was a remarkable man, husband and father,” Frost said in a statement Monday.