ABOUT US

Bill Clark is one of the most respected and accomplished football coaches in Alabama history, recognized nationally for his leadership, resilience, and ability to build winning programs at every level of the game.

A native of Anniston, Alabama, Clark graduated from Jacksonville State University in 1990 with a degree in physical education and began his coaching career that same year. Over the next three decades, he established himself as one of the premier coaches in the country, compiling a 60-30 record as a Division I head coach, including a 48-26 mark at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

Clark's tenure at UAB stands as one of the most remarkable coaching stories in college football history. Hired as head coach in 2014, he guided the Blazers through unprecedented challenges after the university discontinued football following his first season. Rather than leave, Clark remained committed to the program and its players, helping lead the effort to restore football at UAB. During the program's two-year hiatus, he rebuilt the roster, reestablished the culture, and prepared the Blazers for their return to competition.

When UAB returned to the field in 2017 after a two-year absence, Clark engineered one of the greatest turnarounds in college football history. The Blazers posted an 8-5 record, earned the program's first bowl appearance since 2004, and reignited enthusiasm throughout Birmingham and the state of Alabama.

The success that followed was historic.

Under Clark's leadership, UAB won Conference USA Championships in 2018 and 2020, captured a conference-record three consecutive C-USA West Division titles from 2018-2020, and established itself as one of the premier Group of Five programs in the nation. The 2018 team set a school record with 11 victories, won the program's first Conference USA Championship, and secured UAB's first-ever bowl victory with a dominant win in the Boca Raton Bowl.

For his achievements, Clark earned numerous national honors, including CBS Sports National Coach of the Year, FWAA Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year, Conference USA Coach of the Year, and the Thomas Brookshier Spirit Award from the Maxwell Football Club. His leadership during UAB's revival became a national model for perseverance, vision, and organizational excellence.

Clark's accomplishments extended beyond wins and championships. He played a pivotal role in transforming UAB Football into a major force both on and off the field. During his tenure, the program moved into a state-of-the-art Football Operations Center, increased attendance to conference-leading levels, and helped lay the foundation for the opening of Protective Stadium in downtown Birmingham, one of the premier venues in college football.

Known for his defensive expertise, Clark consistently fielded teams that ranked among the nation's leaders in total defense while developing student-athletes who excelled on the field, in the classroom, and in their communities.

Prior to UAB, Clark served as head coach at Jacksonville State University and defensive coordinator at the University of South Alabama. His coaching reputation was first established at Prattville High School, where he built one of the most dominant programs in Alabama history. During nine seasons as head coach, Clark compiled a remarkable 106-11 record, winning two Class 6A state championships and achieving a 91 percent winning percentage, the highest in Alabama high school football history. His 2007 Prattville team finished the season ranked No. 2 nationally in the USA Today Super 25 rankings.

Following his final season at Prattville, Clark was named Alabama High School Athletic Association Coach of the Year and Schutt Southeast Regional Coach of the Year.

In 2022, Clark retired from coaching, concluding a career defined by integrity, perseverance, and transformational leadership. Today, he continues to advocate for youth sports safety and coach education as President of the CoachSafely Foundation, where he works to ensure that volunteer coaches across America receive the training and resources necessary to keep young athletes safe.