HEAD COACH DAVE CLAWSON THE CLAWSON FILE Born: August 16, 1967 Hometown: Youngstown, N.Y. Education: Williams College (Mass.), 1989 – Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy Albany, 1992 — Masters of Liberal Arts Playing Experience: Three-year starter at defensive back Also played basketball Honors: 2002 Schutt Sports/American Football Monthly I-AA National Coach of the Year 2002 Patriot League Coach of the Year 2001 Patriot League Co-Coach of the Year Dave Clawson addresses the media during his inaugural press conference. Dave Clawson became the 32nd coach in the 122-year history of Richmond football when he was hired on February 23, 2004. An energetic, rising star in the coaching ranks, Clawson brings a diverse offensive arsenal that shattered 16 team and 45 individual records in his five years at Fordham University (1999-2003). While in the Bronx, he led a program resurgence that produced the 14th best winning percentage in I-AA football during the past three seasons (72.2 percent/26-10 record). The Rams’ 19 combined wins in 2002 and 2003 is the most in back-to-back seasons since 1918-19. A two-time Patriot League Coach of the Year (2001 and 2002), Clawson, 36, earned 2002 I-AA National Coach of the Year honors from Schutt Sports/American Football Monthly after guiding the Rams to their first-ever conference championship and I-AA playoff appearance. That Fordham squad defeated Northeastern in the playoff’s first round and finished the fall ranked No. 12 nationally. During his tenure on Rose Hill, Clawson coached 38 All-Conference performers, including 12 in 2003 when the Rams went 9-3. Fordham 2004 RICHMOND FOOTBALLboasted the league’s CLAWSON HEAD COACH DAVE best scoring offense (32.9), pass offense (260.2), pass defense (171.5) and field goal percentage (78.6) last fall. 24 His attacking offense provided prolific individual membership and fund raising which enhanced recruiting and performances, establishing school record holders for passing, the program’s operating budget. HEAD COACH DAVE CLAWSON HEAD COACH DAVE Kevin Eakin with 6,112 career yards; receiving, Javarus Dudley An All-Conference quarterback has emerged from Clawson’s with 101 receptions for 1,439 yards (2002); and rushing, Kirwin offense seven of the past 10 years, including each of the past Watson, 1,477 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns (2002). three at Fordham. Two honorees came at Villanova, where Clawson is also dedicated to his student-athletes’ success off Clawson spent three years as its offensive coordinator (1996- the field. The Youngstown, N.Y. native also improved the 98), and two years at Lehigh when he was offensive program by reorganizing the gridiron club to increase coordinator. While at Villanova, the Wildcats CLAWSON YEAR-BY-YEAR established 70 school records and went to the I-AA playoffs in 1996 and RECORD AS HEAD COACH 29-29 (FIVE YEARS) 1997. Under Clawson’s tutelage, Year Position School Record (Accolades) Brian Finneran won the Walter 2003 Head Coach Fordham 9-3 (Ranked No. 26 in final poll) Payton award, given to I-AA’s Most 2002 Head Coach Fordham 10-3 (Patriot Co-Champs, I-AA playoffs, ranked #12) Outstanding Player, and Brian 2001 Head Coach Fordham 7-4 (Patriot League Co-COTY) Westbrook became the first student- 2000 Head Coach Fordham 3-8 athlete in NCAA history to gain 1999 Head Coach Fordham 0-11 more than 1,000 yards rushing and 1998 Offensive Coordinator Villanova 6-5 receiving in a season. 1997 Offensive Coordinator Villanova 12-1 (A-10 Champs, I-AA playoffs) A 1989 graduate of Williams College 1996 Offensive Coordinator Villanova 8-4 (Mass.), Clawson entered the 1995 Offensive Coordinator Lehigh 8-3 (Patriot League Champs) 1994 Offensive Coordinator Lehigh 5-5-1 coaching ranks at Albany where he 1993 Running Backs Coach Lehigh 7-4 earned his master’s degree in 1992. 1992 Quarterbacks/RB Coach Buffalo 4-6 After two years with the Great Danes 1991 Secondary Coach Buffalo 3-7 (1989-90), Clawson went to Buffalo 1990 Secondary Coach Albany 3-7 for two years (1991-92) where the 1989 Asst. Quarterbacks/RB Coach Albany 5-4 Bulls’ offense set 36 school records, including points and yards in a 2004 RICHMOND FOOTBALL season. In 1993, Clawson joined the Lehigh coaching staff where he worked until 1995. The Mountain Hawks won the Patriot League title his first and last years, while the offense led the league in scoring, total offense and pass offense each of his final two seasons. Rabih Adbullah, who later played for the Chicago Bears, set a school record with 1,536 rushing yards. Clawson and his wife, Catherine, are the parents of two children, Courtney (5) and Eric (2). Clawson and his wife, Catherine, are welcomed to Richmond by the Spider community. www.RichmondSpiders.com 25 Q&A WITH DAVE CLAWSON When Dave Clawson was hired to lead the University of We want guys that are excited Richmond football program, a sense of excitement swept and not only grow academically across the community. A proven winner with endless offensive accomplishments, Clawson knows what it takes but also grow to become the to win in the Atlantic 10 Conference and make it to the national playoffs. best football players they can be. After a successful stint as head coach at Fordham and as a After spending four years in your football coordinator at Villanova and Lehigh, Clawson brings program, what ideals will your student-athletes enthusiasm and energy to a Spider program ready to Q understand? return to the top. Nothing is accomplished without hard work. I A think whether it’s obtaining a Richmond degree or becoming part of a championship football program, these are high goals and high standards and it takes a lot of work to accomplish them. If we are able to recruit the caliber of student-athletes we want, if we 10 Questions apply the work ethic, that there is nothing they can’t with Dave Clawson do. How would you summarize your first few months What part of football do you love the most? as Richmond’s head coach? There are different aspects of the job; the nature of Q Busy but productive. Step one was to higher the Q coaching is that the yearly cycle is the same. Within best staff we could. Step two was to introduce our the year it becomes different things. During the offensive and defensive systems at spring practice. A season for instance, I love the weekly challenge of Now we are getting organized for an exciting 2004 A breaking an opponent down and preparing a team season. a little differently to face each opponent. During recruiting, I really enjoy the point that we have identified the players that we want and then getting What were your first impressions of the to know a player and his family and the things that University of Richmond? motivate him. Q First off, it is one of the most beautiful college From a broader sense, it is very rewarding to see campuses I have ever seen. Secondly, it is a great someone come in as a 17- or 18-year-old and see the academic school with a very strong football A process of going through a University, like tradition. I think the combination of those three Richmond, and going through a football program, things is a foundation to build a successful football and how it changes their lives for the better. program. What kind of student-athlete are you looking for to wear the Spider uniform? 2004 RICHMOND FOOTBALLQ CLAWSON Q&A WITH DAVE One that understands the philosophy of the University. A player that takes his academics very seriously and A understands the mission of the University of Richmond. Secondly, somebody that football is extremely important to and loves to play the game. 26 www.RichmondSpiders.com What goals have you set for this program during guys that have coached at the I-A level and the I-AA your first year? level. We have guys that have been scholarship Q recruiters and guys that have recruited in the state The most important thing is that we need to CLAWSON Q&A WITH DAVE of Virginia. We also have coaches that have worked establish a consistent work ethic. at the University of Richmond. It is a good A I want the game of football combination of all the elements we need to be successful. to be fun to our players. I want it to be something they look forward to, that Q What do you think about the new helmets? every day they look forward to getting to Whatever you do, you want to have an identity. We practice and making themselves better. are the only Spiders in the country, our nickname is A very unique. We also want to proudly display our I think it’s important that we establish a work ethic colors. We are navy blue and red, that is on the but also that we surround ourselves with people helmet. We are the Spiders and we want to be that love to play football. known for the way we play defense and offense and the way we look. We are excited about our new look. What can Richmond football fans expect from your offensive scheme? Q Who was the toughest Spider to I would like to say the way we play Q prepare for during your years at the game is wide open. I don’t mean Villanova? A that we are going to throw it every single down, but we are going to be unpredictable A I would say that Marc Megna and in the way we look and what we do.