Jump to content

Bert Clark: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
SporkBot (talk | contribs)
Bots
1,202,681 edits
m Update syntax per discussion at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject College football
GreenC bot (talk | contribs)
Bots
2,331,573 edits
(22 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American gridiron football player and coach (1930–2004)}}
{{other people}}
{{other people}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox college coach
{{Infobox college coach
| name = Bert Clark
| name = Bert Clark
| image =
| image = Bert_Clark_WSU.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption = Clark from the 1967 ''Chinook''
| sport = [[American football|Football]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1930|2|12}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1930|2|12}}
| birth_place = [[Wichita Falls, Texas]]
| birth_place = [[Wichita Falls, Texas]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2004|12|13|1930|2|12}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2004|12|13|1930|2|12}}
| death_place = [[Katy, Texas]]
| death_place = [[Katy, Texas]], U.S.
| alma_mater = [[University of Oklahoma]], 1952
| alma_mater =
| player_years1 = 1949–1951
| player_years1 = 1949–1951
| player_team1 = [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma]]
| player_team1 = [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma]]
Line 17: Line 18:
| player_years3 = 1953
| player_years3 = 1953
| player_team3 = [[Calgary Stampeders]]
| player_team3 = [[Calgary Stampeders]]
| player_positions = [[Linebacker]], [[Center (American and Canadian football)|center]]
| player_positions = [[Linebacker]], [[Center (gridiron football)|center]]
| coach_years1 = 1956
| coach_years1 = 1956
| coach_team1 = [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Arkansas]] (assistant)
| coach_team1 = [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Arkansas]] (assistant)
Line 32: Line 33:
| tournament_record =
| tournament_record =
| championships =
| championships =
* [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|National]] ([[1950 Oklahoma Sooners football team|1950]])
| awards =
| awards =
* First-team All-[[Big Eight Conference|Big Seven]] ([[1951 All-Big Seven Conference football team|1951]])
* Second-team All-Big Seven ([[1950 All-Big Seven Conference football team|1950]])
| coaching_records =
| coaching_records =
}}
}}
'''Robert B. "Bert" Clark, Jr.''' (February 12, 1930 – December 13, 2004)<ref name=espnbert>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1948582 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |title=Led 'Cardiac Kids' in 1965 |date=December 17, 2004 |accessdate=October 7, 2014}}</ref> was an American [[gridiron football]] player and coach. He was the head football coach at [[Washington State University]] for four seasons, from 1964 to 1967.
'''Robert B. Clark Jr.''' (February 12, 1930 – December 13, 2004)<ref name=espnbert>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=1948582 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |title=Led 'Cardiac Kids' in 1965 |date=December 17, 2004 |access-date=October 7, 2014}}</ref> was an American [[gridiron football]] player and coach. He was the head football coach at [[Washington State University]] for four seasons, from 1964 to 1967.


==Early life and playing career==
==Early life and playing career==
Born in [[Wichita Falls, Texas]], Clark graduated from high school in 1948 and played [[college football]] at the [[University of Oklahoma]] under coach [[Bud Wilkinson]]. He [[Letterman (sports)|lettered]] three seasons from 1949 to 1951, as the Sooners posted records of 11–0, 10–1, and 8–2. Clark was a two-time All [[Big Eight Conference]] [[linebacker]] and helped the [[1950 Oklahoma Sooners football team|1950 Sooners]] capture a [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|national title]]. After a brief stint with the [[1952 Dallas Texans season|Dallas Texas]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL) in 1952 and a season with the [[Calgary Stampeders]] of the [[Canadian Football League]] (CFL) in 1953, Clark served in the [[United States Army]].
Born in [[Wichita Falls, Texas]], Clark graduated from high school in 1948 and played [[college football]] at the [[University of Oklahoma]] under coach [[Bud Wilkinson]]. He [[Letterman (sports)|lettered]] three seasons, from 1949] to 1951, as the Sooners posted records of {{nowrap|11–0,}} {{nowrap|10–1, and 8–2.}} Clark was a two-time All-[[Big Eight Conference]] [[linebacker]] and helped the [[1950 Oklahoma Sooners football team|1950 Sooners]] capture a [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|national title]].
After a brief stint with the [[1952 Dallas Texans season|Dallas Texas]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL) in 1952 and a season with the [[Calgary Stampeders]] of the [[Canadian Football League]] (CFL) in 1953, Clark served in the [[United States Army]].


==Assistant coach==
==Assistant coach==
Following his military service, he was an assistant coach for a season at the [[University of Arkansas]] in 1956 under former Sooner [[Jack Mitchell (American football)|Jack Mitchell]], and then joined the staff of first-year head coach [[Jim Owens]] at the [[Washington Huskies football|University of Washington]] in [[Seattle]] in 1957. Owens and Clark were teammates at Oklahoma in their undefeated [[1949 Oklahoma Sooners football team|1949]] season.
Following his military service, he was an assistant coach for a season at the [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|University of Arkansas]] in [[1956 Arkansas Razorbacks football team|1956]] under former Sooner [[Jack Mitchell (American football)|Jack Mitchell]], and then joined the staff of first-year head coach [[Jim Owens]] at the [[Washington Huskies football|University of Washington]] in [[Seattle]] in [[1957 Washington Huskies football|1957]]. Owens and Clark were teammates at Oklahoma in their undefeated [[1949 Oklahoma Sooners football team|1949]] season.


==Washington State==
==Washington State==
After seven seasons in Seattle with Owens at Washington, he was hired as head coach at [[Washington State Cougars football|Washington State]] in [[Pullman, Washington|Pullman]] in January 1964;<ref name=bchiresdc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WLBYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZfcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6861,2968457 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |title=Bert Clark named Cougar grid coach |last=Johnson |first=Bob |date=January 14, 1964 |page=15}}</ref> his initial contract was a three-year deal for $16,500 per year.<ref name=arrgg>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xbRWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0ugDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6050,2169913 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |title=WSU now 'arranging' new Clark contract |date=December 7, 1965 |page=12}}</ref>
After seven seasons in Seattle with Owens at Washington, he was hired as head coach at [[Washington State Cougars football|Washington State]] in [[Pullman, Washington|Pullman]] in January [[1964 Washington State Cougars football team|1964]];<ref name=bchiresdc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WLBYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZfcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6861,2968457 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington)|title=Bert Clark named Cougar grid coach |last=Johnson |first=Bob |date=January 14, 1964 |page=15}}</ref> his initial contract was a three-year deal for $16,500 per year.<ref name=arrgg>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xbRWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0ugDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6050,2169913 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington)|title=WSU now 'arranging' new Clark contract |date=December 7, 1965 |page=12}}</ref>


On the [[Palouse]], he was near another former 1949 Sooner teammate, [[Dee Andros]], who was in his third (and final) season as head coach of the [[Idaho Vandals football|Idaho Vandals]], eight miles (13&nbsp;km) to the east. Clark's first WSU team lost both rivalry games, expectedly to Washington in the [[Apple Cup]], but unexpectedly to Idaho 28–13 in the [[Battle of the Palouse]], the Vandals' first win the over the Cougars in a decade.<ref name=thry>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AOFXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GekDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6881%2C2942184 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |title='Thunder Ray' leads Idaho's charge |last=Missildine |first=Harry |date=October 25, 1964 |page=1, sports}}</ref>
On the [[Palouse]], he was near another former 1949 Sooner teammate, [[Dee Andros]], who was in his third (and final) season as head coach of the [[1964 Idaho Vandals football team|Idaho Vandals]], {{convert|8|mi|spell=in}} to the east. Clark's first WSU team lost both rivalry games, expectedly to Washington in the [[Apple Cup]], but unexpectedly to Idaho {{nowrap|28–13}} in the [[Battle of the Palouse]], the Vandals' first win the over the Cougars in a decade.<ref name=thry>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AOFXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GekDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6881%2C2942184 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |title='Thunder Ray' leads Idaho's charge |last=Missildine |first=Harry |date=October 25, 1964 |page=1, sports}}</ref>


His 1965 team was nicknamed "The Cardiac Kids" for their dramatic late-game comebacks against Iowa, Minnesota, Villanova, Indiana and Oregon State. It was also the only team in school history to defeat three [[Big Ten Conference]] teams ([[Minnesota Golden Gophers football|Minnesota]], [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]], [[Indiana Hoosiers football|Indiana]]). The Cougars finished at 7–3, and beat [[Oregon Ducks football|Oregon]] and [[Oregon State Beavers football|Oregon State]], but lost to both Idaho and Washington for a second consecutive year. It was the first time the Cougars had lost two straight to the Vandals in forty years, done before a record-breaking crowd of 22,600 at [[Rogers Field (Washington State)|Rogers Field]].<ref name=chvndl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CrRWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I-kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5732%2C957526 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |title=Charging Vandals defeat WSU 17-13 |last=Missildine |first=Harry |date=October 3, 1965 |page=1, sports}}</ref><ref name=pbtnml>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OVdYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rvcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3844%2C745989 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |title=Palouse back to normal; Idaho conquers Cougars |last=Johnson |first=Bob |date=October 4, 1965 |page=17}}</ref>
His [[1965 Washington State Cougars football team|1965]] team was nicknamed "The Cardiac Kids" for their dramatic late-game comebacks against [[1965 Iowa Hawkeyes football team|Iowa]], [[1965 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team|Minnesota]], [[1965 Villanova Wildcats football team|Villanova]], [[1965 Indiana Hoosiers football team|Indiana]], and [[1965 Oregon State Beavers football team|Oregon State]]. It was also the only team in school history to defeat three [[Big Ten Conference|Big Ten]] teams (Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana). The Cougars finished at {{nowrap|7–3,}} and beat [[1965 Oregon Webfoots football team|Oregon]] and Oregon State, but lost to both [[1965 Idaho Vandals football team|Idaho]] and [[1965 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]] for a second consecutive year. It was the first time the Cougars had lost two straight to the Vandals in forty years, done before a record-breaking crowd of 22,600 at [[Rogers Field (Washington State)|Rogers Field]].<ref name=chvndl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CrRWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I-kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5732%2C957526 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington)|title=Charging Vandals defeat WSU 17-13 |last=Missildine |first=Harry |date=October 3, 1965 |page=1, sports}}</ref><ref name=pbtnml>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OVdYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rvcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3844%2C745989 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |title=Palouse back to normal; Idaho conquers Cougars |last=Johnson |first=Bob |date=October 4, 1965 |page=17}}</ref>


Following the 1965 season, Clark signed a new three-year contract, at [[United States dollar|$]]19,700 per year. Expectations were high for 1966, but the Cougars were 3–7 and nearly lost to Idaho for a third straight year in a sloppy mudbath at [[Neale Stadium]] in [[Moscow, Idaho|Moscow]]. Two fourth-quarter WSU touchdowns, one on a fumble return and another on a long run from scrimmage after a Vandal fumble saved the day for the Cougars, 14–7.<ref name=mreplt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WrJfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AzMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4122%2C3769782 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |agency=photos |title=Mud replaces turf in football's annual Battle of Palouse in Moscow |last=Woods |first=Roy |date=October 23, 1966 |page=14}}</ref><ref name=kerttd>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hmtYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1vcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6016%2C1928337 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |agency=photo |title=Kennedy en route to a TD |date=October 24, 1966 |page=18}}</ref> The Cougars were 1–3 in conference, with a win over Oregon and losses to [[California Golden Bears football|California]], Oregon State, and Washington.
Following the 1965 season, Clark signed a new three-year contract, at [[United States dollar|$]]19,700 per year. Expectations were high for [[1966 Washington State Cougars football team|1966]], but the Cougars were 3–7 and nearly lost to [[1966 Idaho Vandals football team|Idaho]] for a [[Three-peat|third straight]] year in a sloppy mudbath at [[Neale Stadium]] in [[Moscow, Idaho|Moscow]]. Two fourth-quarter WSU touchdowns, one on a fumble return and another on a long run from scrimmage after a Vandal fumble saved the day for the Cougars, 14–7.<ref name=mreplt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WrJfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AzMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4122%2C3769782 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho)|agency=photos |title=Mud replaces turf in football's annual Battle of Palouse in Moscow |last=Woods |first=Roy |date=October 23, 1966 |page=14}}</ref><ref name=kerttd>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hmtYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1vcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6016%2C1928337 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington)|agency=photo |title=Kennedy en route to a TD |date=October 24, 1966 |page=18}}</ref> The Cougars were {{nowrap|1–3}} in conference, with a win over [[1966 Oregon Webfoots football team|Oregon]] and losses to [[1966 California Golden Bears football team|California]], [[1966 Oregon State Beavers football team|Oregon State]], and [[1967 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]].


The Cougars were winless through eight games in 1967, then thrashed Idaho 52–14 and squeaked by Washington 9–7 in Seattle to finish at 2–8 and 1–5 in conference.<ref name=pldc97>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kzlWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=G-kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5972%2C4087730 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |last=Missildine |first=Harry |title=Pluck, luck, defense! Cougs 9-7 |date=November 26, 1967 |page=1, sports}}</ref> Clark was fired in late November, with a season remaining on his contract.<ref name=bcpcwc>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NqFfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BzIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3631%2C4983193 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |title=Bert Clark parts company with Cougars; search on for successor |date=November 29, 1967 |page=10}}</ref><ref name=sfngch>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ljlWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=G-kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7480%2C4807421 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |title=WSU begins search for new grid coach |date=November 29, 1967 |page=10}}</ref>
The Cougars were winless through eight games in [[1967 Washington State Cougars football team|1967]],<ref name=pgcnt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iGVYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1PcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7136%2C2978302 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington)|title=Palouse grid contest seen as "war of wits" |date=November 10, 1967 |page=13}}</ref> then thrashed [[1967 Idaho Vandals football team|Idaho]] 52–14 and squeaked by [[1967 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]] {{nowrap|9–7}} in Seattle to finish at {{nowrap|2–8}} and {{nowrap|1–5}} in conference.<ref name=pldc97>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kzlWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=G-kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5972%2C4087730 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington)|last=Missildine |first=Harry |title=Pluck, luck, defense! Cougs 9-7 |date=November 26, 1967 |page=1, sports}}</ref> Clark was fired in late November, with a season remaining on his contract.<ref name=bcpcwc>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NqFfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BzIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3631%2C4983193 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho)|title=Bert Clark parts company with Cougars; search on for successor |date=November 29, 1967 |page=10}}</ref><ref name=sfngch>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ljlWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=G-kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7480%2C4807421 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington)|title=WSU begins search for new grid coach |date=November 29, 1967 |page=10}}</ref>


==After Pullman==
==After Pullman==
Clark coached at the [[New Mexico Lobos football|University of New Mexico]] in 1968 as [[defensive coordinator]] to first-time head coach [[Rudy Feldman]],<ref name=cgaj>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=omVYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zfcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3936,2049732 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |title=Clark gets aide's job |agency=UPI |date=February 9, 1968 |page=11}}</ref> and went to the CFL in 1970 with the [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]] under new head coach [[Jim Spavital]].<ref name=cgwj>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CpNYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PvgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6267%2C1010658 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |agency=Associated Press |title=Clark given Winnipeg job |date=May 20, 1970 |page=42}}</ref><!--<ref name=tchbcgp>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MVchAAAAIBAJ&sjid=M4UFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4834,4865763 |newspaper=Tri-City Herald |title=Bert Clark gets post |agency=Associated Press |date=May 21, 1970 |page=32}}</ref>--> He later went into the investment business in Texas in [[Dallas]] and [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]].<ref name=foulbbcd>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RmhWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6_IDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3681%2C1560950 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |agency=Associated Press |title=Former WSU football coach Bert Clark dies |date=December 18, 2004 |page=C6}}</ref> Clark died in [[Katy, Texas]] in December 2004 at the age of 74<ref name=espnbert/> and was buried at Sacred Heart Cemetery in [[Wichita Falls, Texas|Wichita Falls]].
Clark coached at the [[New Mexico Lobos football|University of New Mexico]] in 1968 as [[defensive coordinator]] to first-time head coach [[Rudy Feldman]],<ref name=cgaj>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=omVYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zfcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3936,2049732 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington)|title=Clark gets aide's job |agency=UPI |date=February 9, 1968 |page=11}}</ref> and went to the CFL in [[1970 CFL season|1970]] with the [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]] under new head coach [[Jim Spavital]].<ref name=cgwj>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CpNYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PvgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6267%2C1010658 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington)|agency=Associated Press |title=Clark given Winnipeg job |date=May 20, 1970 |page=42}}</ref><!--<ref name=tchbcgp>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MVchAAAAIBAJ&sjid=M4UFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4834,4865763 |newspaper=Tri-City Herald |title=Bert Clark gets post |agency=Associated Press |date=May 21, 1970 |page=32}}</ref>--> He later went into the investment business in Texas in [[Dallas]] and [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]].<ref name=foulbbcd>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RmhWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6_IDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3681%2C1560950 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington)|agency=Associated Press |title=Former WSU football coach Bert Clark dies |date=December 18, 2004 |page=C6}}</ref>
Clark died in [[Katy, Texas]] in December 2004 at the age of 74<ref name=espnbert/> and was buried at Sacred Heart Cemetery in [[Wichita Falls, Texas|Wichita Falls]].


==Head coaching record ==
==Head coaching record ==
Line 67: Line 75:
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| championship =
| year = [[1964 college football season|1964]]
| year = [[1964 NCAA University Division football season|1964]]
| name = [[1964 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]]
| name = [[1964 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]]
| overall = 3–6–1
| overall = 3–6–1
Line 80: Line 88:
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| championship =
| year = [[1965 college football season|1965]]
| year = [[1965 NCAA University Division football season|1965]]
| name = [[1965 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]]
| name = [[1965 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]]
| overall = 7–3
| overall = 7–3
Line 93: Line 101:
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| championship =
| year = [[1966 college football season|1966]]
| year = [[1966 NCAA University Division football season|1966]]
| name = [[1966 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]]
| name = [[1966 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]]
| overall = 3–7
| overall = 3–7
Line 106: Line 114:
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| championship =
| year = [[1967 college football season|1967]]
| year = [[1967 NCAA University Division football season|1967]]
| name = [[1967 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]]
| name = [[1967 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]]
| overall = 2–8
| overall = 2–8
Line 132: Line 140:
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{CFBCR|380}}
* {{Find a Grave|87394073}}


{{Washington State Cougars football coach navbox}}
{{Washington State Cougars football coach navbox}}
{{1950 Oklahoma Sooners football navbox}}
{{1950 Oklahoma Sooners football navbox}}
{{1960 Washington Huskies football navbox}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Clark, Bert}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clark, Bert}}
[[Category:1930 births]]
[[Category:1930 births]]
[[Category:2004 deaths]]
[[Category:2004 deaths]]

[[Category:American football centers]]
[[Category:American football centers]]
[[Category:American football linebackers]]
[[Category:American football linebackers]]
[[Category:Players of Canadian football from Texas]]
[[Category:Arkansas Razorbacks football coaches]]
[[Category:Arkansas Razorbacks football coaches]]
[[Category:Calgary Stampeders players]]
[[Category:Calgary Stampeders players]]
Line 153: Line 160:
[[Category:Washington State Cougars football coaches]]
[[Category:Washington State Cougars football coaches]]
[[Category:Winnipeg Blue Bombers coaches]]
[[Category:Winnipeg Blue Bombers coaches]]
[[Category:People from Wichita Falls, Texas]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Wichita Falls, Texas]]
[[Category:Coaches of American football from Texas]]

Revision as of 17:49, 21 July 2024

For other people named Bert Clark, see Bert Clark (disambiguation).

Bert Clark
Clark from the 1967 Chinook
Biographical details
Born(1930-02-12)February 12, 1930
Wichita Falls, Texas, U.S.
DiedDecember 13, 2004(2004-12-13) (aged 74)
Katy, Texas, U.S.
Playing career
1949–1951Oklahoma
1952Dallas Texans
1953Calgary Stampeders
Position(s)Linebacker, center
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1956Arkansas (assistant)
1957–1963Washington (assistant)
1964–1967Washington State
1968–1969New Mexico (assistant)
1970–?Winnipeg Blue Bombers (assistant)
Head coaching record
Overall15–24–1
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Awards

Robert B. Clark Jr. (February 12, 1930 – December 13, 2004)[1] was an American gridiron football player and coach. He was the head football coach at Washington State University for four seasons, from 1964 to 1967.

Early life and playing career

Born in Wichita Falls, Texas, Clark graduated from high school in 1948 and played college football at the University of Oklahoma under coach Bud Wilkinson. He lettered three seasons, from 1949] to 1951, as the Sooners posted records of 11–0, 10–1, and 8–2. Clark was a two-time All-Big Eight Conference linebacker and helped the 1950 Sooners capture a national title.

After a brief stint with the Dallas Texas of the National Football League (NFL) in 1952 and a season with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 1953, Clark served in the United States Army.

Assistant coach

Following his military service, he was an assistant coach for a season at the University of Arkansas in 1956 under former Sooner Jack Mitchell, and then joined the staff of first-year head coach Jim Owens at the University of Washington in Seattle in 1957. Owens and Clark were teammates at Oklahoma in their undefeated 1949 season.

Washington State

After seven seasons in Seattle with Owens at Washington, he was hired as head coach at Washington State in Pullman in January 1964;[2] his initial contract was a three-year deal for $16,500 per year.[3]

On the Palouse, he was near another former 1949 Sooner teammate, Dee Andros, who was in his third (and final) season as head coach of the Idaho Vandals, eight miles (13 km) to the east. Clark's first WSU team lost both rivalry games, expectedly to Washington in the Apple Cup, but unexpectedly to Idaho 28–13 in the Battle of the Palouse, the Vandals' first win the over the Cougars in a decade.[4]

His 1965 team was nicknamed "The Cardiac Kids" for their dramatic late-game comebacks against Iowa, Minnesota, Villanova, Indiana, and Oregon State. It was also the only team in school history to defeat three Big Ten teams (Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana). The Cougars finished at 7–3, and beat Oregon and Oregon State, but lost to both Idaho and Washington for a second consecutive year. It was the first time the Cougars had lost two straight to the Vandals in forty years, done before a record-breaking crowd of 22,600 at Rogers Field.[5][6]

Following the 1965 season, Clark signed a new three-year contract, at $19,700 per year. Expectations were high for 1966, but the Cougars were 3–7 and nearly lost to Idaho for a third straight year in a sloppy mudbath at Neale Stadium in Moscow. Two fourth-quarter WSU touchdowns, one on a fumble return and another on a long run from scrimmage after a Vandal fumble saved the day for the Cougars, 14–7.[7][8] The Cougars were 1–3 in conference, with a win over Oregon and losses to California, Oregon State, and Washington.

The Cougars were winless through eight games in 1967,[9] then thrashed Idaho 52–14 and squeaked by Washington 9–7 in Seattle to finish at 2–8 and 1–5 in conference.[10] Clark was fired in late November, with a season remaining on his contract.[11][12]

After Pullman

Clark coached at the University of New Mexico in 1968 as defensive coordinator to first-time head coach Rudy Feldman,[13] and went to the CFL in 1970 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers under new head coach Jim Spavital.[14] He later went into the investment business in Texas in Dallas and Galveston.[15]

Clark died in Katy, Texas in December 2004 at the age of 74[1] and was buried at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wichita Falls.

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Washington State Cougars (Athletic Association of Western Universities) (1964–1967)
1964 Washington State 3–6–1 1–2–1 T–6th
1965 Washington State 7–3 2–1 3rd
1966 Washington State 3–7 1–3 T–6th
1967 Washington State 2–8 1–5 T–7th
Washington State: 15–24–1 5–11–1
Total: 15–24–1

References

  1. ^ a b "Led 'Cardiac Kids' in 1965". ESPN. Associated Press. December 17, 2004. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
  2. ^ Johnson, Bob (January 14, 1964). "Bert Clark named Cougar grid coach". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 15.
  3. ^ "WSU now 'arranging' new Clark contract". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). December 7, 1965. p. 12.
  4. ^ Missildine, Harry (October 25, 1964). "'Thunder Ray' leads Idaho's charge". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 1, sports.
  5. ^ Missildine, Harry (October 3, 1965). "Charging Vandals defeat WSU 17-13". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 1, sports.
  6. ^ Johnson, Bob (October 4, 1965). "Palouse back to normal; Idaho conquers Cougars". Spokane Daily Chronicle. p. 17.
  7. ^ Woods, Roy (October 23, 1966). "Mud replaces turf in football's annual Battle of Palouse in Moscow". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). photos. p. 14.
  8. ^ "Kennedy en route to a TD". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). photo. October 24, 1966. p. 18.
  9. ^ "Palouse grid contest seen as "war of wits"". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). November 10, 1967. p. 13.
  10. ^ Missildine, Harry (November 26, 1967). "Pluck, luck, defense! Cougs 9-7". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 1, sports.
  11. ^ "Bert Clark parts company with Cougars; search on for successor". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). November 29, 1967. p. 10.
  12. ^ "WSU begins search for new grid coach". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). November 29, 1967. p. 10.
  13. ^ "Clark gets aide's job". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). UPI. February 9, 1968. p. 11.
  14. ^ "Clark given Winnipeg job". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. May 20, 1970. p. 42.
  15. ^ "Former WSU football coach Bert Clark dies". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 18, 2004. p. C6.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bert_Clark&oldid=1235875785"