The UCF football coaching staff mourned the loss of offensive line coach Shawn Clark and spent their press conferences reminiscing about him and his tremendous impact on them on Wednesday.
Clark was admitted to a hospital on Sept. 9 after suffering from a medical emergency. He remained in stable condition until Sunday evening, when he passed at the age of 50. The UCF football community learned of his sudden passing on Monday morning.
Monday’s are when UCF’s weekly press conferences are held to hear from the coaching staff and players about the previous game and the week’s upcoming matchup, but the event was postponed until Wednesday due to Clark’s passing.
The coaching staff — head coach Scott Frost, offensive coordinator Steve Cooper and defensive coordinator Alex Grinch — expressed their personal grief concerning the passing of Clark, who was more than a coach to them; he was their friend.
“From my standpoint, I just miss my friend,” Frost said. “I wasn’t around him as much as I’ve been around other people, but he just had an energy and spirit about him, and one of my favorite guys I’ve been around and coached with.”
It’s a tough time for the UCF football community, but Frost acknowledges the best thing to do is keep moving forward, as he finds game planning to be a therapeutic way to immerse himself in the football environment during a difficult period.
Clark may be gone in his physical form, but he’ll always remain a part of the UCF football family spiritually, as Coach Grinch has found his special way to honor him.
“He sat next to me in team meetings, and there’s a void, and I’m going to make sure in my time here, no one sits in that chair,” Grinch said. “It has nothing to do with me, but everything to do with him.”
Clark was a bundle of joy; he formed deep bonds with his players and fellow coaches. His gleaming smile spread his positive energy and even inspired Coach Cooper to approach aspects of life the way Clark did.
“Coach Clark was the light that could illuminate the room and make things a little bit lighter for us,” Cooper said. “Me, in particular, I thought that it’s something I aspire to be more like and maybe be a bit less negative at times.”
Clark left an everlasting impression on the UCF football program in his short nine months with the team, inspiring and bonding with those around him. He won’t be forgotten, as Coach Frost stated the team will honor Clark with a sticker with his initials on the back of their helmets.
In light of the passing, Coach Frost has found staff to help with the offensive line who share similar philosophies as Clark. Alex Farah, Clark’s handpicked assistant, stood in for him during his hospitalization. Alongside Farah, Frost announced former Purdue head coach Danny Hope will join the staff to help with the offensive line.
Hope, a former offensive line coach himself, was Clark's mentor for 9 years, as Clark was his offensive line coach at Eastern Kentucky (2003-2007) and Purdue (2009-2012).
Coach Frost spoke on the similarities between Hope and Clark, and how it will hopefully ease the transition for the offensive lineman.
“I think that helps a little,” Frost said. “The age differential isn’t enough, but it feels like Danny’s the grandpa, Shawn’s the dad and Alex’s the son, but it feels like they’re all coming from the same place.”
Clark’s impact on others was undeniable; players and coaches shared nothing but praise for his character and his care for others. The Knights will carry his legacy throughout the season as they honor his seat in team meetings and his initials on the back of their helmets.