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| Nat Clark Husson athletics photo |
Nat Clark has been announced as Husson University's fourth head football coach, effective immediately.
"I am honored and thankful to be named the head football coach at Husson University," states Clark. "I would like to thank our president Dr. Robert Clark and director of athletics Frank Pergolizzi for the opportunity to help lead the student-athletes in our football program. To take over for legendary coach, mentor, and friend Gabby Price and to keep building this proud program makes this moment even more special.
Clark brings an abundant wealth of experience to the gridiron after serving as the assistant head football coach for the Eagles since 2013. He's also served as the offensive line coach and special teams coordinator since 2013 as well as during his previous stint at Husson from 2003-08. Not only does Clark serve an important role on the field, but he is also currently the Husson athletics academic coordinator and previously held the position of assistant athletic director for student-athlete services from 2004-09.
He replaces Gabby Price, who stepped down in January after 12 years as head coach.
"Nat is the soul of Husson football! He is a relationship builder, motivator and has great passion for coaching and football," said Price. "Clark is bright, a tireless worker and an absolute difference maker in his players' lives."
"We are thrilled that Nat Clark has agreed to become our next head football coach," Pergolizzi said. "We are confident that he will take over from Coach Price and continue the high level of success that has come to be associated with Husson University football. Nat has been instrumental in the success that our football program has enjoyed. He is articulate, energetic and a tireless worker. He is an excellent coach who has developed a dominating offensive line as well as excellent special teams during the time he has been on our staff. He is an outstanding recruiter who understands the work it takes to keep our program at the highest level."
Clark, who will enter his 13th season on the coaching staff at Husson in the fall of 2019, has accomplished an impressive 72-45 (.615) career record while working alongside former head football coach Gabby Price all 12 years. The coaching duo helped lead Husson to five Eastern Collegiate Football Conference championships and ten winning seasons, including four NCAA playoff appearances in the 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018 seasons. This upcoming season, the Eagles will face a new challenge as they leave the ECFC to join the Commonwealth Coast Conference to face several new opponents.
Following the 2016 season, Clark was named ECFC Assistant Coach of the Year after helping lead the Eagles to a school record 9-2 mark and the program's second ever appearance in the Division III playoffs. He coached an offensive line unit that helped the Husson Eagles score a league-best 57 touchdowns paired with 40-plus points per game, paving the way for the Husson offense to set 13 single-season school records.
Since returning to Husson in 2013, Clark has coached three players who have been named ECFC Offensive Lineman of the Year and one player who earned ECFC Special Teams Player of the Year this past season. He's also mentored 11 offensive linemen and five special teams players who have earned a spot on the ECFC All-Conference Team, and has helped coach 15 All-American players plus seen 61 student-athletes earn a spot on the ECFC All-Academic Team. Clark even had the honor to help induct one of his former offensive linemen into the Husson Sports Hall of Fame.
Over the four-season hiatus from Husson football between 2009-12, Clark resumed his coaching position at Bangor High School as assistant football coach and teacher. The legendary coaching duo of Clark and Price first met back in 1992 when Clark played for Price at Bangor High School for three seasons.
A native of Bangor, Clark was a four-year member of the University of Maine football program where he played on the offensive line for head coach Jack Cosgrove. He graduated in 2000 with a bachelor's in physical education and eventually earned his master's degree in educational leadership in the spring of 2012.