Post by Aggie One on Jul 10, 2005 10:06:08 GMT -5
Posted on Sun, Jul. 10, 2005
Shaw coach is first to interview for FAMU job
By Heath A. Smith
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
Deondri Clark wasted little time turning DivisionII Shaw into a championship team - and he wasted little time interviewing for what he hopes will be his next job.
Clark was the first of five finalists to interview for Florida A&M's vacant head football coaching job. Interviews were originally scheduled to begin Monday, but E. Newton Jackson, the school's interim athletic director, was able to move up the schedule.
Clark came in Saturday, and Jackson was hoping to bring in DivisionII Winston-Salem State assistant coach Linwood S. Ferguson for an interview today. Jackson was advised to hold off on that interview because of Hurricane Dennis, which could hit North Florida today. Jackson said it wasn't clear how Dennis would affect next week's interview schedule.
Clark, 35, met with Jackson, interim President Castell Bryant, the coaching staff, players and other athletic department officials on Saturday.
"Everything has been well with the interview process," Clark said. "I'm just honored to have made the short list of candidates for this job."
Clark played football at Florida State before graduating in 1993. He says he's no stranger to FAMU.
"Being able to come back home is always exciting and I'm looking forward to this opportunity," said Clark, a native of Winter Park. "I took on the challenge of building a program at Shaw. What I've learned there will help me to rebuild the program at FAMU."
Clark was promoted to Shaw's head coach from defensive coordinator on Sept.3, 2003. Shaw went 7-3 and improved to 10-2 in 2004, winning both the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Championship and the 2004 Pioneer Bowl. Clark said a large portion of his success at Shaw came from his ability to recruit Florida players.
"I'm a Florida guy, so I'm biased, but I think we have the best players in the country," Clark said. "I know Texas and California have good players, but I think we have the best. I built my program at Shaw with Florida players.
"Me and another coach came down here on a nine-day recruiting trip. We hit 54 schools and that was with just two people. With nine coaches we should be able to hit every spot for talent."
While Jackson may be interested in his ability to bring in future talent, the current talent wanted to know Saturday what he would ask of them. One of the main concerns players had was making major changes with less than two months until the season opener.
"I'd have to be plumb foolish to have one man try and change 115," Clark said. "X's and O's are one thing, and schemes are another. The fundamentals don't change. The offense and defense we run at Shaw are similar so I don't see a major transition.
"We talked about other issues besides X's and O's. I think the main thing the players wanted to know was how much I care. They are hungry to win."
Clark said he had a positive meeting with the coaching staff and looked forward to the opportunity to work with them.
"The assistant coaches are very competent, which is why Billy Joe hired them in the first place," Clark said. "They would certainly get the opportunity to prove what they could do this season. I'm just hungry to get this thing started and right the ship."
Shaw coach is first to interview for FAMU job
By Heath A. Smith
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
Deondri Clark wasted little time turning DivisionII Shaw into a championship team - and he wasted little time interviewing for what he hopes will be his next job.
Clark was the first of five finalists to interview for Florida A&M's vacant head football coaching job. Interviews were originally scheduled to begin Monday, but E. Newton Jackson, the school's interim athletic director, was able to move up the schedule.
Clark came in Saturday, and Jackson was hoping to bring in DivisionII Winston-Salem State assistant coach Linwood S. Ferguson for an interview today. Jackson was advised to hold off on that interview because of Hurricane Dennis, which could hit North Florida today. Jackson said it wasn't clear how Dennis would affect next week's interview schedule.
Clark, 35, met with Jackson, interim President Castell Bryant, the coaching staff, players and other athletic department officials on Saturday.
"Everything has been well with the interview process," Clark said. "I'm just honored to have made the short list of candidates for this job."
Clark played football at Florida State before graduating in 1993. He says he's no stranger to FAMU.
"Being able to come back home is always exciting and I'm looking forward to this opportunity," said Clark, a native of Winter Park. "I took on the challenge of building a program at Shaw. What I've learned there will help me to rebuild the program at FAMU."
Clark was promoted to Shaw's head coach from defensive coordinator on Sept.3, 2003. Shaw went 7-3 and improved to 10-2 in 2004, winning both the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Championship and the 2004 Pioneer Bowl. Clark said a large portion of his success at Shaw came from his ability to recruit Florida players.
"I'm a Florida guy, so I'm biased, but I think we have the best players in the country," Clark said. "I know Texas and California have good players, but I think we have the best. I built my program at Shaw with Florida players.
"Me and another coach came down here on a nine-day recruiting trip. We hit 54 schools and that was with just two people. With nine coaches we should be able to hit every spot for talent."
While Jackson may be interested in his ability to bring in future talent, the current talent wanted to know Saturday what he would ask of them. One of the main concerns players had was making major changes with less than two months until the season opener.
"I'd have to be plumb foolish to have one man try and change 115," Clark said. "X's and O's are one thing, and schemes are another. The fundamentals don't change. The offense and defense we run at Shaw are similar so I don't see a major transition.
"We talked about other issues besides X's and O's. I think the main thing the players wanted to know was how much I care. They are hungry to win."
Clark said he had a positive meeting with the coaching staff and looked forward to the opportunity to work with them.
"The assistant coaches are very competent, which is why Billy Joe hired them in the first place," Clark said. "They would certainly get the opportunity to prove what they could do this season. I'm just hungry to get this thing started and right the ship."
