Adam Clark was named the Sacramento State defensive coordinator in December 2025.
Clark comes to the Hornets after serving as the defensive coordinator at Northern Arizona for two seasons (2024-25).
In his first season leading the Lumberjacks, NAU saw massive improvements from the previous season. Under Clark, the Lumberjacks went from seventh in the Big Sky in interceptions (15) to second, which also ranked 12th nationally in the FCS. In total pass defense (176.7), the unit went from ninth to first, and in total defense (316.5), the unit placed second in the Big Sky in 2024 after being seventh the previous fall. NAU ranked 18th nationally in both categories.
Clark's defense in 2024 featured two first team all-Big Sky selections in Alex McLaughlin and Tommy Ellis, with the former being a unanimous selection. Two other Lumberjacks earned second team honors and NAU placed three additional defenders on the honorable mention list.
In 2025, linebacker Travis Arena and defensive back Quinten Moten were named all-Big Sky first team while linebacker Brandon Wong was voted to the second team. That season, Moten led the conference and ranked 11th in the FCS with 1.18 passes defended per game. Wong was also second in the Big Sky, and 25th nationally, with 1.17 tackles-for-loss per game.
Prior to NAU, Clark coached for nearly 20 years and was part of eight conference championship teams during his college coaching and playing career.
Clark spent five seasons with Angelo State as its defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Clark helped guide the Rams to a 38-10 record over four seasons and to their first outright Lone Star Conference (LSC) championship in nearly 40 years and back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in the NCAA Div. II era.
During Clark's time at Angelo State, his defense was consistently at the top of the LSC in most defensive categories which included a national top-10 unit in numerous categories each season, only giving up 15.5 points per game over 48 games.
In 2021, the Rams had one of the top defenses in the country, ranking eighth overall in total defense, allowing only 253.3 yards of offense per game. Angelo State allowed only 76.9 rushing yards per game which was the sixth-lowest average in all of Div. II. The Rams allowed 14 or fewer points in eight games on the season and ranked 11th in the country in turnover margin and 17th in scoring defense.
In Clark's first year at Angelo State, the Rams defense was one of the top units in the nation. They ranked third nationally in scoring defense and were also in the top 10 nationally in red zone defense (7th), pass defensive efficiency (4th), yards per play (10th), and takeaways per game (10th). The defense was in the top three in virtually every defensive category within the LSC including being the top unit in various categories.
While at Tarleton State as defensive line coach, special teams coordinator and assistant head coach in 2018, Tarleton State compiled a 12-1 record, a Lone Star Conference Championship and a No. 4 national ranking.
Clark served as head coach at Western New Mexico from 2010-17, where he left as the Mustangs' third-winningest coach in over the 100-year history of the program.
Leading up to his first head coach opportunity, Clark served as defensive line coach at Colorado School of Mines (2008-10), defensive coordinator and strength coach at St. Ambrose (2007) and defensive backs and strength coach at Graceland (2004-06).
Clark began his career at his alma mater, St. Ambrose in Davenport, Iowa as a graduate assistant from 2002-04. He worked with outside linebackers, safeties, defensive line and special teams during back-to-back conference championships and playoff appearances.
Clark earned his bachelor's degree in sociology from St. Ambrose and a master's degree in organizational leadership.
A native of San Diego, Calif., Clark and his wife, Mimi, have two sons, Caden and Kai, and one daughter, Kalena.
Coaching Experience
2024-25: Northern Arizona (Def. Coordinator)
2019-24: Angelo State (Def. Coordinator)
2018: Tarleton State (Asst. Head Coach/Special Teams/Def. Line)
2010-17: Western New Mexico (Head Coach)
2008-09: Colorado School of Mines (Def. Line)
2007: St. Ambrose (Def. Coordinator/Strength)
2004-06: Graceland (Def. Backs/Strength)
2002-04: St. Ambrose (Graduate Assistant)
