SC Virginia News

Hampden-Sydney Names David Clark, Jr. New Defensive Coordinator

Hampden-Sydney College 24th-year head football coach Marty Favret has announced the appointment of David Clark, Jr. as the program's new Defensive Coordinator. Clark has served as the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) member Averett University since 2018. He is a 2011 graduate of ODAC member Guilford (NC) College, where he was a two-year team member before serving as a student assistant coach for three years (2009-11) and an assistant coach for five years (2012-16).

"We're excited to have David aboard," said Favret. "He brings valuable ODAC experience and a passion for coaching defense that really stood out in his interviews. Our players will appreciate his fire and intensity as we enter into spring ball."

At Averett, Clark implemented the defensive schemes and game-planning for all opponents over the past four seasons while developing the defensive playbook and linebacker manual for the program. The 2022 Cougars led the ODAC in (fewest) passing yards allowed per game, while placing three defensive players on the All-ODAC Team. AU had nine All-USA South defensive selections during the spring and fall of 2021, following a record-breaking 2019 campaign with five all-conference honorees (four linebackers), while leading the league in scoring defense, third down defense and sacks (school-record 37) among top three team rankings in 11 stat categories.

Clark served as the special teams coordinator/linebackers coach at AU from 2016-18. The Cougars led NCAA Division III in net punting in 2018, while second nationally in defensive punt return average and third in kickoff return average—featuring the top individual kickoff return average in DIII. AU had eight All-USA South special teams' selections, three All-Region honorees and one All-American during these three years, and the Cougars led the conference in scoring defense and takeaways during 2017 and 2018. He coached three linebackers to all-conference honors, including one All-American and All-Region honoree.

Clark also served as an assistant coach at his alma mater (Guilford) from 2012-16, including as the running backs coach in 2012, before becoming the linebackers coach from 2013-16. He helped the Quakers to a share of the 2014 ODAC regular season title, and coached five linebackers to all-conference honors from 2013-15, including an All-Region choices in 2014. A GC running back earned all-conference accolades in 2012.

A native of Kings Mountain, North Carolina, David earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in exercise and sports studies at Guilford. 

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