Tennessee Football Coaching Tree: Former Vols Assistants Who Are Now College Head Coaches

Unlike Frank Wilson, however, Dave Clawson was a major reason for the infamy.

Widely regarded as the hire that did Phillip Fulmer in, Clawson became offensive coordinator of the Vols in 2008 and oversaw one of the worst offenses in school history. The atrocious offense with terrible quarterback play led to a 5-7 record and Fulmer’s firing.

Of course, given his tenure with the Bowling Green Falcons, we found out that Clawson runs a very complex offense that takes at least three years for teams to figure out, which showed dating back to his Richmond days. Now, going into his third year, at Wake Forest he is looking to do the same thing.

In his first two years, Clawson went 3-9 twice. But he went 0-11 and 3-8 his first two years at Fordham in 1999 and 2000 before three straight winning seasons, and he went 3-8 his first year at Richmond before going to the FCS Semifinals in 2007.

Then, after three mediocre seasons with the Bowling Green Falcons, he went 8-5 in 2012 and 10-3 in 2013 before going to Wake Forest in 2014.

It’s ironic that one of the most infamous assistant coaches in Tennessee football history is one of the most successful as a current football head coach elsewhere. But that could change if he doesn’t get things going soon at Wake Forest.

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Dave Clawson

Head Coach, Wake Forest Demon Deacons

We now move onto coaches with a bit more experience winning at the college football level. But ironically, that list starts with a coach who, like Frank Wilson, had only one year in Knoxville. Also like Frank Wilson, this coach was part of an infamous year in Knoxville.

Unlike Frank Wilson, however, Dave Clawson was a major reason for the infamy.

Widely regarded as the hire that did Phillip Fulmer in, Clawson became offensive coordinator of the Vols in 2008 and oversaw one of the worst offenses in school history. The atrocious offense with terrible quarterback play led to a 5-7 record and Fulmer’s firing.

Of course, given his tenure with the Bowling Green Falcons, we found out that Clawson runs a very complex offense that takes at least three years for teams to figure out, which showed dating back to his Richmond days. Now, going into his third year, at Wake Forest he is looking to do the same thing.

In his first two years, Clawson went 3-9 twice. But he went 0-11 and 3-8 his first two years at Fordham in 1999 and 2000 before three straight winning seasons, and he went 3-8 his first year at Richmond before going to the FCS Semifinals in 2007.

Then, after three mediocre seasons with the Bowling Green Falcons, he went 8-5 in 2012 and 10-3 in 2013 before going to Wake Forest in 2014.

It’s ironic that one of the most infamous assistant coaches in Tennessee football history is one of the most successful as a current football head coach elsewhere. But that could change if he doesn’t get things going soon at Wake Forest.

Next: #2: Lovie Smith-Illinois