Football Steve Clinkscale hire official

[Derek Terry_rivals23489]

From UK media relations..

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Cincinnati co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale has been tabbed Kentucky’s defensive backs coach, it was announced by Coach Mark Stoops on Tuesday.

“I am very impressed with Coach Clinkscale’s knowledge and the way he handles himself with players,” said Stoops, who has an extensive history as a defensive backs coach. “He is well-seasoned in terms of experience. Coaches I greatly respect – Coach (Eddie) Gran and Coach (Darin) Hinshaw – who worked with him in Cincinnati speak very highly of him.”

Clinkscale joins the Kentucky coaching staff after serving three seasons with Cincinnati as secondary coach, including the 2015 campaign as co-defensive coordinator.

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Clinkscale previously spent a year as the cornerbacks coach at Illinois (2012), after a three-year run with Toledo. He also served as an assistant with Western Carolina in 2008, after opening his coaching career at his alma mater Ashland University (2001-07) in Ohio.

“I’ve been wanting to work with Coach Stoops since he’s been at Kentucky,” Clinkscale said. “This is a great opportunity for me and my family and I’m getting to work with someone who is like-minded. We speak the same language when it comes to defense. I was walking through the training facility with my wife and I told her ‘this feels like a dream come true.’ I’m very happy and I can’t wait to get on the practice field.”

In his three seasons at Cincinnati, Clinkscale helped the Bearcats advance to three straight bowl games – Belk Bowl (2013), Military Bowl (2014) and Hawai’i Bowl (2015). As the main defensive play-caller in 2015, his defense ranked third in the American Athletic Conference, allowing only 217 passing yards per game. Junior UC linebacker Eric Wilson blossomed under Clinkscale’s guidance as he charted a 106-tackle season, while safety Zach Edwards starred with 94 tackles and three interceptions.

Edwards excelled under Clinkscale’s tutelage in 2014, amassing 121 tackles, two interceptions and six pass break-ups. During UC’s nine-win season in 2013, Edwards shined as a freshman with 73 tackles and a pair of interceptions.

Before joining the UC staff, Clinkscale spent a season on the staff at Illinois as the cornerbacks coach, helping the Fighting Illini rank in the Top-20 nationally in pass defense, surrendering under 200 yards passing per game.

He joined the Illini staff after spending three seasons at Toledo, including the final two as the cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator. Under his leadership, Toledo's cornerbacks played a key role in the Rockets' defensive resurgence, while special teams were a strong suit as well. The kickoff return team ranked 11th in the nation in 2010 and the punt return unit ranked 17th in 2011.

In 2011, Clinkscale helped the Rockets become a national leader in takeaways, as Toledo ranked 16th in turnovers gained. UT also ranked third in the nation in turnover margin and 29th in third-down defense in 2011. Clinkscale guided the Rockets to a No. 17 finish in punt return average in 2011, which helped Toledo to a 9-4 campaign and a victory in the Military Bowl.

Clinkscale also helped develop Toledo’s Eric Page into one of the most electrifying return men in college football, as Page was named a third-team All-American by Phil Steele and a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, given annually to the nation's most versatile player. Page also was named first-team All-Mid-American Conference as a receiver, kickoff returner and punt returner.

Toledo went from allowing 37.7 points per game in 2009 to 28.5 in 2010. The Rocket defense also increased its turnovers from 21 to 34, the fifth-highest takeaway total in the nation in 2010, and tied for eighth-most interceptions in the country with 20. Toledo also finished 11th in the nation in kickoff return average, helping propel Toledo to an 8-5 season and its first bowl appearance in five years.

With the Rockets in 2010, Clinkscale helped guide junior Desmond Marrow as he returned to the lineup after a nearly two-year absence. Marrow responded with an outstanding season, with 72 tackles, three interceptions and six pass breakups. On special teams, Clinkscale helped coach Page, who averaged 31.1 yards per return, earn numerous first-team All-America honors. He was the only player in the FBS to return three kickoffs for touchdowns.

Clinkscale went to Toledo with eight years of college coaching experience: one year at Western Carolina (2008) and seven seasons at Ashland University (2001-07). In his only season at Western Carolina, he worked with the Catamount defensive backs in addition to serving as Western's academic liaison.

During his seven seasons at Ashland, Clinkscale served mostly as a secondary coach, spending his final season as the linebackers coach. He also served as the academic liaison at AU, where the football team routinely posted combined GPAs of 3.0 or better.

Clinkscale mentored two All-Americans (Devin Conwell and Toure Carter) and two Cactus Bowl (NCAA Division II all-star game) participants at Ashland. Conwell was named the 2005 GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year.

Clinkscale was a four-year starter and a team captain at Ashland. He played in the 2000 Snow Bowl, the Division II all-star game that was the predecessor to the Catcus Bowl. He earned his bachelor's degree in sports science, with a concentration in therapeutic recreation in 2000.

Clinkscale and his wife, Jasena, have four sons: Isaiah, Elijah, and twins, Zion and Zivon.

 

[Blue Decade]

We should be realistic about this. Ansley was 1 of the most important members and 1 of the best teachers on our coaching staff. It's a big loss, but these things happen. When Stoops gave Ansley the raise and the co-coordinator title, he convinced Ansley to say no to Georgia and Auburn. At that point, he thought Ansley would be here for another year, But if Ansley had left then instead of accepting the raise, the pool of potential replacements would have been bigger. Once the signing date passed, a lot of potential candidates around the country had already locked up other new jobs. When Ansley suddenly left for Alabama, Stoops was caught behind the 8 ball. Steve Clinkscale is a native of Youngstown who had been on Cincinnati's staff with Gran and Hinshaw, so it's easy to see how he ended up at Kentucky under these circumstances. I didn't know much about Clinkscale before all of this happened. His P5 coaching resume is limited. I hear he is a good recruiter. But it would be naive to think Clinkscale will be as effective as Ansley was. Ansley is at Alabama for a reason. The good news is that the secondary is Stoops' specialty. We have a very young secondary, so player development on the back end is at a critical stage. Clinkscale gets to coach some serious talent. The other good news is that Clinkscale apparently knows something about special teams.

 

[3kidsandme]

We should be realistic about this. Ansley was 1 of the most important members and 1 of the best teachers on our coaching staff. It's a big loss, but these things happen. When Stoops gave Ansley the raise and the co-coordinator title, he convinced Ansley to say no to Georgia and Auburn. At that point, he thought Ansley would be here for another year, But if Ansley had left then instead of accepting the raise, the pool of potential replacements would have been bigger. Once the signing date passed, a lot of potential candidates around the country had already locked up other new jobs. When Ansley suddenly left for Alabama, Stoops was caught behind the 8 ball. Steve Clinkscale is a native of Youngstown who had been on Cincinnati's staff with Gran and Hinshaw, so it's easy to see how he ended up at Kentucky under these circumstances. I didn't know much about Clinkscale before all of this happened. His P5 coaching resume is limited. I hear he is a good recruiter. But it would be naive to think Clinkscale will be as effective as Ansley was. Ansley is at Alabama for a reason. The good news is that the secondary is Stoops' specialty. We have a very young secondary, so player development on the back end is at a critical stage. Clinkscale gets to coach some serious talent. The other good news is that Clinkscale apparently knows something about special teams.

I can see clinkscake being just as good as Ansley. He has some studs to work with at corner plus when Guys like Westry,Baity,Robinson,Edwards,West,Walker start producing he can sale the fact he coached them. Big time dbs want to play where they see players at there spot excelling.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

Blue Decade, to be realistic, we will probably never have a replacement as effective as one that leaves for Bama at any position. That's why they go to Bama. With that being said, hee seems like a solid hire. Hopefully, his ST experience will be a plus.

 

[Blue Decade]

I can see clinkscake being just as good as Ansley. He has some studs to work with at corner plus when Guys like Westry,Baity,Robinson,Edwards,West,Walker start producing he can sale the fact he coached them. Big time dbs want to play where they see players at there spot excelling.

That is a realistic compliment to players in our secondary. I am not criticizing Clinkscale. Stoops picked him for a reason. My point is that Ansley is very difficult to replace. There is a reason he is at Alabama now. Ansley left at a time that makes replacing him more difficult, because the number of available replacements drops in February compared to January. I am not suggesting Clinkscale is a bad choice, but we should be realistic. Losing Ansley hurts.

 

[jauk11]

He sounds very impressive to me, to have a DB AVERAGE almost 100 tackles a year for three years is unheard of, I even have to wonder if that is true. Sure, he coached at a lower division but he also didn't have SEC talent, the numbers his players put up are very impressive. Maybe our coaches eye for talent isn't limited to the recruits.

 

[Blue Decade]

He sounds very impressive to me, to have a DB AVERAGE almost 100 tackles a year for three years is unheard of, I even have to wonder if that is true. Sure, he coached at a lower division but he also didn't have SEC talent, the numbers his players put up are very impressive. Maybe our coaches eye for talent isn't limited to the recruits.

LOL! When defensive backs tackle 100 ball carriers in 1 season, that means they are playing behind a bad defensive line. I never said Clinkscale is a bad hire. I am just saying you can't really replace what Ansley has done for Stoops. Trying to replace Ansley got more difficult because the number of available candidates decreases in February. Clinkscale may end up being a good coach. I'm not saying he will or won't. But under the circumstances, he was probably hired because of the Youngstown and Cincinnati connections.

 

[jauk11]

LOL! When defensive backs tackle 100 ball carriers in 1 season, that means they are playing behind a bad defensive line. I never said Clinkscale is a bad hire. I am just saying you can't really replace what Ansley has done for Stoops. Trying to replace Ansley got more difficult because the number of available candidates decreases in February. Clinkscale may end up being a good coach. I'm not saying he will or won't. But under the circumstances, he was probably hired because of the Youngstown and Cincinnati connections.

Not really arguing with anything in your post, BUT when is the last time UK had FOUR DB players that were a four star to work with------PLUS two more underrated DBs that appear to be even better------plus some more experience------plus another four star in this class. Besides, if Ainsley is as good as some make him out to be all these players will already have the basics down.

I think Clinksdale will be very impressive this year, in fact I almost believe I could do a fair job as our DB coach------with a lot of help from Stoops, of course. He might even pay me to keep out of the way, like BP apparently did while building his son's resume-----I still think that should be against the law at a public institution, but of course it is beginning to look more and more like that is jurich's city college.

 

[3kidsandme]

Not really arguing with anything in your post, BUT when is the last time UK had FOUR DB players that were a four star to work with------PLUS two more underrated DBs that appear to be even better------plus some more experience------plus another four star in this class. Besides, if Ainsley is as good as some make him out to be all these players will already have the basics down.

I think Clinksdale will be very impressive this year, in fact I almost believe I could do a fair job as our DB coach------with a lot of help from Stoops, of course. He might even pay me to keep out of the way, like BP apparently did while building his son's resume-----I still think that should be against the law at a public institution, but of course it is beginning to look more and more like that is jurich's city college.

The secondary is loaded. I still cannot believe Westry was a 3 star. He is 6"4 185 runs a legit 4.5 and has a wingspan like a 6"8 guy. Muschamp basically told a probable 1st rd pick to hit the road. Baity is going to end up a very physical corner when he gets the strength to match his mentality. I honestly believe UK secondary matches up skill wise with anybody in the nation.