University of Richmond Athletics
Dave Clawson Hired To Lead Football Program
Feb. 23, 2004
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UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - University of Richmond director of athletics Jim Miller announced today that Dave Clawson has been hired as the 32nd coach in the 122-year history of Richmond football.
An energetic, rising star in the coaching ranks, Clawson brings a diverse offensive arsenal that shattered 16 team and 45 individual records in his five years at Fordham University (1999-2003). While in the Bronx, he led a program resurgence that produced the 14th best winning percentage in I-AA football during the past three seasons (72.2 percent/26-10 record). The Rams' 19 combined wins in 2002 and 2003 is the most in back-to-back seasons since 1918-19.
"I am very excited and feel privileged and honored for the opportunity to lead the football program here at Richmond," Clawson said. "I hope in a short period of time that we can produce a football team that the administration, students and alumni of Richmond can be very proud of. I am very thankful to be given this opportunity by Dr. Cooper and I appreciate the professionalism in which Jim Miller conducted the search."
A two-time Patriot League Coach of the Year (2001 and 2002), Clawson, 36, earned 2002 I-AA National Coach of the Year honors from Schutt Sports/American Football Monthly after guiding the Rams to their first-ever conference championship and I-AA playoff appearance. That Fordham squad defeated Northeastern in the playoff's first round and finished the fall ranked No. 12 nationally.
During his tenure on Rose Hill, Clawson coached 38 All-Conference performers, including 12 in 2003 when the Rams went 9-3. Fordham boasted the league's best scoring offense (32.9), pass offense (260.2), pass defense (171.5) and field goal percentage (78.6) last fall.
"Dave Clawson is a good fit for this University, athletic department and football program," Miller said. "In five years as a collegiate head coach, Dave has already established himself as a winner, with one of the brightest offensive minds in the country. This is an exciting time for Richmond football."
His attacking offense provided prolific individual performances, establishing school record holders for passing, Kevin Eakin with 6,112 career yards; receiving, Javarus Dudley with 101 receptions for 1,439 yards (2002); and rushing, Kirwin Watson, 1,477 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns (2002).
Clawson is also dedicated to his student-athletes' success off the field. His first recruiting class at Fordham produced an 88 percent graduation rate. The Youngstown, N.Y. native also improved the program by reorganizing the gridiron club to increase membership and fund raising which enhanced recruiting and scholarships.
An All-Conference quarterback has emerged from Clawson's offense five of the past eight years, including each of the past three at Fordham. The other two honorees came at Villanova, where Clawson spent three years as its offensive coordinator (1996-98).
While at Villanova, the Wildcats established 70 school records and went to the I-AA playoffs in 1996 and 1997. Under Clawson's tutelage, Brian Finneran won the Walter Payton award, given to I-AA's Most Outstanding Player, and Brian Westbrook became the first student-athlete in NCAA history to gain more than 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in a season.
A 1989 graduate of Williams College (Mass.), Clawson entered the coaching ranks at Albany where he earned his master's degree in 1992. After two years with the Great Danes (1989-90), Clawson went to Buffalo for two years (1991-92) where the Bulls' offense set 36 school records, including points and yards in a season.
In 1993, Clawson joined the Lehigh coaching staff where he worked until 1995. The Mountain Hawks won the Patriot League title his first and last years, while the offense led the league in scoring, total offense and pass offense each of his final two seasons. Rabih Adbullah, who later played for the Chicago Bears, set a school record with 1,536 rushing yards.
Clawson and his wife, Catherine, are the parents of two children, Courtney (4) and Eric (2).