Colleges

Bulls talk to ex-Miami star about coaching position

By GREG AUMAN
Published February 24, 2006

TAMPA - Bernard Clark, a former Miami and NFL linebacker who has been Florida International's defensive coordinator the past two seasons, has been offered a position as USF's defensive line coach and could return to his hometown as early as today.

"Ordinarily, you wouldn't consider going from a coordinator to a position coach, but the fact that it's back in Tampa and a chance to be in the Big East, I'm definitely interested," said Clark, a Tampa native who graduated from Leto High and was part of two national championship teams at Miami.

Clark, 39, interviewed with USF coach Jim Leavitt on Tuesday and Thursday and said Thursday night he would discuss the job with his wife, Tammy, before deciding. Clark said the chance to be close to his parents and his wife's family in Tampa appeal to him. "To me, it's never about the money," said Clark, whose experience in Tampa and Miami would give the Bulls another tie in two key recruiting areas.

The Bulls are seeking to replace Earl Lane, who had been USF's defensive line coach for the program's nine-year history. He resigned two weeks ago and holds the same position at LSU.

Clark, who spent two seasons with the Bengals, coached linebackers at FIU, but his first college job was coaching the defensive line at James Madison in 1998-99. He coached linebackers at Liberty (Va.) from 2000-03.

FIU's defense shined in a 52-6 win against rival Florida Atlantic last season, tying a Division I-A record by returning four interceptions for touchdowns.

If Clark joins the USF staff, he won't have to wait long to see his former school. The Bulls' second game of 2006 is at home against FIU on Sept.9.

The Bulls also have a vacancy for a defensive backs coach, which came open after Rick Kravitz left to become safeties coach and special teams coordinator at N.C. State.

STANFORD: The Sept.9 game against San Jose State will be on the road to allow extra time to complete renovations of its stadium. The Cardinal now will open the season Sept.2 at Oregon followed by San Jose State and the home opener Sept.16 against Navy.

VANDERBILT: Running back Zach Logan was dismissed after being arrested and charged with driving under the influence Friday. Last year, Logan was charged with aggravated assault after an altercation with two students in a dormitory elevator and was temporarily suspended. As a redshirt freshman this past season, Logan played in 10 games as a blocking fullback and had one carry for 3 yards.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Florida State leads after two days of the ACC Championships. The Seminoles have 237 points, 20 more than second-place Virginia.

Florida State's first title of the meet came in the 200 free relay, when senior Joel Roycik, junior Alex Kennon and sophomores Jarryd Botha and Ed Denton finished in 1:19.43. Junior Steve Roof set a school record (4:21.08) in finishing fourth in the 500 free. Denton and sophomore Danny Keeling finished sixth and third, respectively, in the 200 individual medley.

The meet continues today and concludes Saturday.

FLORIDA SOUTHERN 7, TAMPA 2: Senior Heather Eli won her school-record 36th match for the visiting Spartans. Eli surpassed Katica Robertson with a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Alysha Puleo. Caitlin Scudder earned the other win for Tampa, which was swept in doubles.

USF 5, NORTH FLORIDA 2: Neyssa Etienne and Courtney Vernon won in singles and doubles to lead host USF.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

[Last modified February 24, 2006, 01:40:27]