ORLANDO — UCF offensive line coach Shawn Clark remains hospitalized and will be away from the team for the immediate future following a “medical emergency” during the bye week.
Knights head coach Scott Frost said, during his Sept. 15 press conference, that Alex Farah — an offensive quality control coach and Clark’s “handpicked assistant” — will handle responsibilities with the O-line ahead of the team’s Sept. 20 showdown with North Carolina.
“I can’t say enough good about him,” Frost said. “You enjoy this sport, and you want to do it with people you like and care about. There’s not that many guys I’ve ever been around that I enjoy being around as much as Coach Clark — not just a great coach, but a really good man.
“He’s doing OK. He’s in stable condition. Thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, Jonelle and the kids.”
Frost said he will seek to add an additional, veteran offensive line coach to the staff for the duration of Clark’s absence.
UCF hired Clark, who turned 50 on Aug. 16, as its offensive line coach in January. He spent the previous five seasons as a head coach at Appalachian State, his alma mater, and posted a 40-24 record.
“Coach Clark brings the room together,” UCF starting right tackle Preston Cushman told reporters last month. “He brings us tight-knit as a group. You want to work for a guy like that, that believes in you and wants the best in you. You want to give it all for him.”
Clark fulfilled roles as assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator at App State, in addition to offensive line coach. His units were recognized by the Joe Moore Award among the top-15 nationally in 2018 and ’19.
“The best way we can show respect to him is to practice and play as hard as we can,” Frost said. “Things like this put football into perspective. We love it, it’s what we do and we spend a lot of time at it, but there’s bigger things happening in life.”
Mack Brown, Eli Drinkwitz show support for UCF’s Shawn Clark
Several coaches from around college football shared their thoughts, prayers and well wishes for Clark on social media in recent days.
Mack Brown, former head coach of Texas and North Carolina, described Clark as a “great coach but better person,” adding, “We need him leading young men!”
Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz, formerly the head coach at App State, said Clark is a “fighter and we are in his corner.”
Herb Hand, UCF’s offensive line coach the previous four seasons, said: “Heavenly father … We lift up our friend Shawn Clark to you and your healing hands. Restore him fully. Bless his family with peace in knowing that you have a plan for his health and wellness. Thank you in advance for his recovery. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
Alex Farah worked with Shawn Clark at Appalachian State
Farah began his coaching career at Appalachian State, including a two-year stint as an offensive line graduate assistant (2015-16). He held the same position at Texas State for the 2017 season.
A native of Matthews, North Carolina, Farah has served as an offensive line coach at five previous schools — Glenville (W. Va.) State in West Virginia, Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, Independence (Kan.) Community College, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and, most recently, Mary Hardin-Baylor, an NCAA Division III program in Texas.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF football O-line coach Shawn Clark remains hospitalized, Alex Farah steps into role
Reporting by Chris Boyle, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
