JR Clark is Wingate’s defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator. The 2020 season is his seventh on the Bulldog football coaching staff. Clark has served as equipment coordinator, fields’ coordinator and work study coordinator during his WU tenure. Prior to his time at Wingate, Clark coached three seasons at Gettysburg College, the alma mater of WU head coach Joe Reich.
Cornerback Davion Washington earned first team All-SAC honors in back-to-back years (2019, 2018) under Clark’s direction. In 2019, Washington had a huge end-zone interception in Wingate’s SAC victory over Carson-Newman. The Bulldogs made the NCAA Division II playoffs for the third consecutive year.
In 2018, Wingate led the SAC in third down defense (.264) and defensive touchdowns (three). Defensive back Cameron Mattison returned an interception for a TD in a Senior Day victory over Tusculum. Wingate defeated West Georgia in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.
Clark and the WU coaching staff led the Bulldogs to the 2017 SAC championship and the team’s first NCAA playoff berth since 2010. Defensive back Kameron Johnson made the All-SAC team, posting two interceptions during Wingate’s SAC title season. The ‘Dogs held Carson-Newman to three second-half points in a big league win.
In 2016, defensive back Cornel Cheron earned All-SAC honors as a graduate student. Cheron returned a fumble 98 yards for a touchdown against Catawba. He also collected a 70-yard pick-six to seal the blow-out victory against Shaw. Clark and the Bulldogs played for the SAC championship on the final weekend of the regular season.
In 2015, Clark helped safety Nortavius Otis earn a spot on the All-SAC first team. Otis was third on the Bulldog charts with 77 tackles. A team captain, Otis had a big fumble recovery in Wingate’s SAC triumph at number 16 Lenoir-Rhyne.
At Gettysburg, Clark coached a secondary that finished second in the Centennial Conference in pass defense following the 2012 season. GC held four 2012 opponents to seven points or less, posting the school’s first shutout in eight years. Three Bullets earned All-Centennial Conference honors under Clark.
In 2010, Clark served as the defensive backs coach at Wittenberg (Ohio) University. He helped guide the Tigers to the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championship, an undefeated regular season and a berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs. The 2010 Wittenberg Tigers finished 10-1 overall and 6-0 in the NCAC.
Clark was a graduate assistant at Wilmington (Del.) College (his alma mater) from 2007-09. He coached his linebackers to four All-Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) awards, while also mentoring an All-OAC free safety. He was the Quakers’ video coordinator and recruiting assistant. Clark spent one year guiding Wilmington’s passing game plan.
While an undergraduate, Clark earned three football letters at Wilmington. He spent one year as a linebacker and two years as a defensive back. Clark graduated from Wilmington with a B.S. degree in health and physical education (class of 2008). His masters’ degree is in education with a concentration in special education.
