Bernard Clark
Encyclopedia
Bernard "Tiger" Clark, a 1985 graduate of A.P. Leto Comprehensive High School in Tampa, Fla., played middle linebacker while at the University of Miami
from 1985-1989. He caught his big break in the 1987 National Championship Game when he replaced a suspended George Mira, Jr.
, where he had an outstanding game and was voted Orange Bowl MVP. He was drafted in the 3rd round in the 1990 NFL Draft
by the Cincinnati Bengals
. After playing three seasons in the National Football League
(from 1990-1991 playing for the Bengals and the Seattle Seahawks
) and two with the Orlando Predators in the Arena Football League, Clark began his coaching career with James Madison coaching defensive ends from 1998-99. He then moved coach special teams and linebackers for 3 years (2000–2003) at Liberty University. In 2004 he became defensive coordinator
for Florida International University
's Golden Panthers. In 2006, Clark became the defensive line coach at the University of South Florida in his hometown of Tampa for one season before returning to FIU as the defensive line coach in 2007. In 2009, he became the defensive coordinator at Hampton University. In February 2010, Clark left Hampton to join Dave Wannstedt
's (Clark's defensive coordinator while playing at the University of Miami) coaching staff as linebackers coach for the University of Pittsburgh
.
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
from 1985-1989. He caught his big break in the 1987 National Championship Game when he replaced a suspended George Mira, Jr.
George Mira, Jr.
George Mira, Jr. was an All-American Middle linebacker for the University of Miami Hurricanes football team during the mid 1980s, taking over the reins after the departure of Jay Brophy. He is also the son of former U.M quarterback George Mira, Sr...
, where he had an outstanding game and was voted Orange Bowl MVP. He was drafted in the 3rd round in the 1990 NFL Draft
1990 NFL Draft
The 1990 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 22–23, 1990...
by the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
. After playing three seasons in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(from 1990-1991 playing for the Bengals and the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
) and two with the Orlando Predators in the Arena Football League, Clark began his coaching career with James Madison coaching defensive ends from 1998-99. He then moved coach special teams and linebackers for 3 years (2000–2003) at Liberty University. In 2004 he became defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
for Florida International University
Florida International University
Florida International University is an American public research university in metropolitan Miami, Florida, in the United States, with its main campus in University Park...
's Golden Panthers. In 2006, Clark became the defensive line coach at the University of South Florida in his hometown of Tampa for one season before returning to FIU as the defensive line coach in 2007. In 2009, he became the defensive coordinator at Hampton University. In February 2010, Clark left Hampton to join Dave Wannstedt
Dave Wannstedt
Dave Wannstedt is current Assistant Head Coach/Inside Linebackers Coach for the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League. He was most recently head coach of the University of Pittsburgh football team, a position he held for six seasons. Wannstedt is also the former head coach of the Miami...
's (Clark's defensive coordinator while playing at the University of Miami) coaching staff as linebackers coach for the University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Panthers football
Pittsburgh Panthers football is the intercollegiate football team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Traditionally the most popular sport at the university, Pitt football has played at the highest level of American college football...
.