FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (August 25, 2023) – The Northern Arizona University track & field program has announced the hiring of Ernie Clark as the head coach of sprints and jumps.
"I'm thrilled to announce the hire of Ernie Clark to the NAU track & field staff," said director of track & field Mike Smith. "In this hire we were looking for creative thinkers who put relationships first when working with student athletes, as well as someone who would continue to raise the standard for an already driven and accomplished group of athletes. We couldn't be more excited for this next chapter with Coach Clark and NAU track & field."
Clark joins the team from San José State, where he was an assistant coach for two years. Prior to his time with San José State, Clark was an associate head track & field coach at Ashland for six years.
"I am ecstatic to join one of the most respected programs in the NCAA," said Clark. "I want to thank Mike Smith and NAU for welcoming me and my family to Flagstaff. I am honored to have the chance to lead the sprints, hurdles, and jumps to new heights and support a group of incredible student-athletes."
"Coach Smith has built NAU into an NCAA powerhouse program that has dominated the Big Sky while maintaining greatness in the classroom. I look forward to continuing the progression of the sprints, hurdles, and jumps to the national stage. I'm ready to start this journey and do great things with great people at an incredible place."
During his time at San José State, Clark saw success at both the conference and national level. He coached 11 Mountain West Conference Champions, with eight of those champion titles coming in the 2022-23 season. Clark also sent 11 athletes to the NCAA West Regional in his two years at San José State.
Clark coached his athletes to setting a total of 15 school records, nine of which were set during the 2022-23 indoor season. Clark coached Cameron Tarver to a school record in the indoor 200-meter at the Mountain West Championships, where he earned the individual title in the event with a time of 20.87.
While at Ashland, Clark was a four-time USTFCCCA National Assistant Coach of the Year recipient (2017-18 outdoor, 2019-20 outdoor, 2020-21 indoor, 2020-21 outdoor). The Eagles earned three NCAA 4x400-meter relay national title under Clark's guidance, during the 2018 outdoor season, the 2021 indoor season, and the 2021 outdoor season.
Clark coached six USA Olympic Trials Championship qualifiers, three USTFCCCA National Athletes of the Year, and two athletes ranked in the top-10 in the world.
Clark graduated from Indianapolis, where he was a two-time DII national provisional qualifier in the 400-meter hurdles and was also named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Freshman of the Year.
