Bernard Clark served two stints at FIU as a defensive assistant. He previously served as defensive coordinator for the Golden Panthers in 2004 and 2005, and then spent the 2006 and '07 seasons as the defensive line coach at South Florida.

“Bernard was a great player who has worked his way up the coaching ranks,” Cristobal said. “He has a knack for developing great talent and is an extremely passionate and driven individual who our student-athletes will look up to.”

Clark’s defensive line helped the South Florida defense rank 14th in the country in sacks per game, 21st in scoring defense and 26th in total defense. USF finished the season with a 24-7 win against East Carolina in the PapaJohns.com Bowl, tying a school record with nine wins.

In his first stint at FIU, Clark worked to improve a defensive unit that allowed 478 yards per game against a I-AA schedule in 2004 to one that gave up 375 yards per game against a I-A schedule in 2005. Under Clark’s guidance, the Golden Panthers tied an NCAA record with four interceptions returned against Florida Atlantic in 2005.

Clark began his college coaching career in 1998 at James Madison University, where he was defensive ends coach for two seasons. He then coached linebackers and special teams at Liberty University from 2000-03. He started his coaching career as the defensive coordinator at Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic High School in 1997.

Clark was a standout linebacker on the University of Miami’s 1987 and 1989 National Championship teams, and he was the MVP of the 1988 Orange Bowl. A 1989 graduate of Miami, Clark was drafted in the third round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He played two seasons with the Bengals and then spent one camp with Dallas in 1992, before playing with Orlando in the Arena League in 1994 and 1996.

He is happily married to his wife, Tammy.

Personal Information
Full Name:  Bernard Clark, Jr.
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.     
Education:  B.A. in business administration, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida (1989) 

Clark's Coaching Career
2007: Florida International University (defensive assistant)

2006: University of South Florida (defensive line)
2004-05: Florida International University (defensive coordinator)

2000-03: Liberty University (linebackers and special teams)

1998-99: James Madison University (defensive ends)

1997: Santa Fe Lakeland Catholic High School (defensive coordinator)

Bowl Games as a Coach (1)
2006      PapaJohns.com (South Florida)

Bowl Games as a Player (5)
1986     Sugar Bowl (Miami)

1987     Fiesta Bowl (Miami)

1988     Orange Bowl (Miami)

1989     Orange Bowl (Miami)

1990     Sugar Bowl (Miami)

Honors as a Player

1988     Orange Bowl MVP

1990     Cincinnati Bengals Third Round Draft Pick