UCF’s Scott Frost honors Shawn Clark, previews Kansas State
UCF head coach Scott Frost spoke publicly Wednesday for the first time since the sudden passing of offensive line coach Shawn Clark, whose death came just over a week after suffering a medical emergency.
In an emotional press conference, Frost reflected on Clark’s impact on the program and the bond he shared with his players, while also emphasizing the importance of faith, family and perspective as the Knights prepare for their Big 12 opener at Kansas State on Saturday.
Here’s everything he had to say:
Opening statement
“I’m just excited to be around the players and the group again. Obviously, there’s been some adversity and heartbreak around our program a little bit, but all we can do is keep going and we have each other. And I think the players are doing a good job of pushing through and working hard this week.”
On the passing of OL coach Shawn Clark amidst trying to prepare for a football game
“Well, the best thing you can do is keep going. And I’m better when I’m working. But we’re still going to get our work done and we’re still going to work hard.
“I just think the emotions of the last couple weeks have worn people a little bit. That being said, the players have practiced really well and responded really well. The biggest thing is the heartbreak for Jonelle and Braxton and Giana.
“And I know Terry (Mohajir) and the university are going to do everything they can for them. And financially, which that says a lot about the type of people that work here and that are here. And all of us will be supportive in any way we can.
“From my standpoint, I just miss my friend. I wasn’t around him as long as I’ve been around some other people. He just had an energy and a spirit about him. One of my favorite guys I’ve ever been around and coached with. It’s just a tough deal, but we’ve got a football game to play too.”
On his message to the players in the wake of such a tragedy
“Yeah, I think for those of us with faith, that’s what we have to lean on. And we’re not without hope because of that and comfort because of that. Shawn had faith, and so our faith means that we know he’s in a better place.
“I think it puts football in perspective. One of my first messages to the team every year is let’s be great at football. Football is what we do. We love football. Football is not life.
“And I think every time something like this happens, it makes you realize, as fanatic as people get about winning and losing a game on Saturdays, it’s trivial compared to real things in life.
“And I think if football is not the most important thing, and your faith is and your family is, I think it makes you even better at football because it keeps it in perspective. And something like this definitely helps to put things back in perspective.”
On trying to rally the team
“This team is starting to build a real love for each other, and they want to play for each other. I think they feel that way about the coaching staff.
“And Coach Clark was probably at the top of that list as far as his guys actually caring about and loving him because he cared about them and loved them. And when you have that kind of bond, I think you end up fighting and playing for each other.
“And I feel like that’s what our team did last week. I think they’ll do it again this week.”
On how Coach Clark connected with people
“Yeah, first of all, it’s not just our players. It’s every – you know, the outpouring of messages and affection for him that I’ve received speaks to how many people that he’s come into contact with and that care about him.
“You know, kids are smart, and they can tell if somebody actually cares about them and loves them and has their best interests at heart, or if they’re just there to use them as a tool to win football games or move ahead.
“You know, Shawn’s compassion and passion for his players and love for his players was real, and they knew that. And that’s why he fit in so well here, and he was a perfect example of the type of man that I want in our building.”
On whether there was a moment when Frost knew Shawn Clark was the perfect fit for this staff
“Yeah, when I interviewed him, it was obvious. Because who Shawn was, he didn’t hide it. He was who he was, and everything that was great about him shone through right away when I met him.
“Obviously, a really good football coach too. But like I said before, that’s not as important as other things in life.”
On his favorite memories of Coach Clark
“When you work with somebody as many hours as we work, you start to develop real bonds. I mean, we spend a ton of time together. He always had a smile on his face.
“He and I had some private discussions because we both have been through some really hard things in this industry and this sport. And I think we kind of shared a common sense of how things are and how to approach things because of some difficulties that we’ve gone through. And he and I talked about those things a lot.
“He was great for me to bounce ideas off of as somebody else that sat in the head coach’s seat. I just wish I had more time with him.”
On whether the players have resources to deal with grief
“Yeah, we have resources. Terry does a good job with that. We have resources available for guys that need it.
“But everybody kind of has to process it on their own. And it’s harder on the O-line than anyone else. And the coaches, probably not even hold a candle to the family.
“All those things are available for the guys. And like I said, I’m the best when I’m working and have my mind occupied with other things. And I think football and playing for each other has given our guys that too.”
On resuming practice
“Game planning was therapeutic for me. Hard to concentrate at times. Tuesday practice wasn’t our best. And again, I think it’s just the emotion of everything drains you a little bit. Today’s practice was really good.
“And you can feel the guys coming together and wanting to play for him and for each other. And we got a big test on Saturday. And we’ve got to be ready to give it everything we’ve got.”
On Alex Farah taking over the OL, and whether they finalized bringing in additional OL coaching help
“Yeah, first of all, Alex has done a great job. He’s been around Shawn enough that they speak the exact same language and coach the exact same way. Players love him too. So he’s going to do a good job of stepping up for us.
“We kind of looked for some relief pitchers to come in and help us. You kind of need more than one guy working with the offensive line just for numbers. And Danny Hope ended up coming in. Coach Hope was head coach at Purdue, worked with Shawn for 10 years. And he was over in Cocoa Beach, so it was easy.
“And it was a good fit since they were so close friends. And I think approached things in a very similar way.”
More on how Danny Hope can help the OL
“I think that helps a little. You know, the age differential isn’t enough, but it feels like Danny’s the grandpa and Shawn is the dad and Alex is the son, and there’s not enough years in there to make that work. But it kind of feels like they’re all coming from the same place.”
On whether the players want to play for Shawn to honor his memory
“For sure. I definitely do. You know, and again, you know, that’s just football, but our offensive guys and offensive line in particular spend a lot more time with him than some of the defensive guys.
“But I know it’s affected everybody on the team.”
On leadership on this team being player-led
“Yeah, that’s starting to take shape in practice and everything. If it’s not going well, our players are making us run plays over again and speaking up if the energy’s not good enough. It’s not all player-driven yet, but it’s in a pretty good place.
“I don’t know the conversations that are happening in the locker room, but I’m very confident that the right things are being said.”
On how the team will honor Coach Clark
“Yeah, you know, it seems so trivial. We’re going to put our sticker on our helmet with his initials. You know, you just wish there was something more that you can do, and you can’t.
“I think the best thing we can do is cherish the time that we had with him and try to fight on.”
On Kansas State and Frost’s connections to K-State head coach Chris Klieman
“It’s my second coaching gig was with Coach Klieman. My first was at Kansas State. I was a graduate assistant there, I think, ’06. I loved my time in Manhattan. Really good fan base. You know, being from the Midwest, it was a fun place for me to live and fit me well.
“Left there to go to Northern Iowa and worked with Coach Klieman on the defensive staff. And, you know, just a ton of respect for him. We were friends, still are. He’s done a great job with that program.
“You know, they’ve been really close to winning every game they’ve played. And I know coming off a bye week, they’re going to have smoke coming out of their ears.
“Our kids know that too, and I think they will as well.”
On the team coming together in a tough environment
“Yeah, to this point, every challenge we put in front of the kids, they’ve done a pretty good job with it. This is a whole new challenge, you know, fighting through emotions of the week, going on the road, playing in front of our opponent’s crowd. You know, some new challenges that a lot of the guys, frankly, haven’t faced yet.
“So we’re trying to prepare them as well as we can. It’s going to be a tough test, and we’ve got to try to give ourselves a good chance.”
Given Frost’s history with playing games in Ireland, whether there’s something to be said about a post-Ireland ‘hangover’ that maybe has negatively impacted K-State this season
“Yeah, that’s probably just coincidence. Now, you put a lot into that game when you go over there, and I think if you win it, it can catapult you in. If you’re not careful of losing, it can kind of set you back a little, but temporarily.
“You know, they had a bye week. They’ve had a chance to kind of talk about things and resettle things, I’m sure. So we’re going to get a good version of them, and we’ve got to give them the best version of us that we can.”
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