Just two seasons after joining the Big Green football coaching staff, offensive line coach Keith Clark was named the team's offensive coordinator on Thursday in an e-mail sent by Rick Bender, Dartmouth's director of varsity athletic communications. Clark replaces former offensive coordinator Jim Pry, who departed the team in February over "philosophical differences" with head coach Buddy Teevens and the team, The Dartmouth previously reported.
Clark, a veteran football coach of 26 years, said his new job will largely involve improving cohesion and communication in the offense.
"Being the coordinator, you have a lot more authority about final decision planning," Clark said in an interview with The Dartmouth. "I now have to address the entire offense."
Clark said he is looking forward to next season, and hopes the team can continue to build on its progress since his arrival in 2009.
"We feel that we've got a very wide breadth of talent within the offense," Clark said. "We have very high expectations for next year."
This past season, Clark mentored an offensive line that helped running back Nick Schwieger '12 gain 1,133 rushing yards. Schwieger also was the co-recipient of the Ivy League Player of the Year award, the first time a Dartmouth player has won the award since 1992.
The offensive line also blocked well for quarterback Conner Kempe '12, allowing only seven sacks all season. The unit's performance was a large contributor to the team's overall success last season, when it finished with a winning record for the first time since 1997.
Clark said the team will benefit from its experience, noting that four offensive-line starters from the 2010 season will return next fall. Tim McManus '11, who missed his junior season in 2009 due to a broken leg, will also return.
"They're pretty seasoned guys," Clark said, noting that the team also has a large group of talented young players. "They have a lot of experience."
The team will largely stick to its previous offensive mindset and will not diverge from strategies it has followed for the past several years, Clark said.
"I don't think that we're going to change [a lot]," he said. "The idea of offensive football is to adapt your scheme to the talents you have and put the football in the hands of the most productive people."
Teevens said Clark will prove valuable in his new role on the coaching staff, bringing important experience to the broader offense.
"I am excited about him," Teevens said. "I expect him to continue to perform at a high level."
Teevens said Clark's extensive time serving as an assistant coach 12 years spent at Yale University, five years at Columbia University and stops at Wagner University, Rutgers University, Lafayette College and the University of Maine will help him in the offensive coordinator role. Clark's strong leadership skills, strategic play-planning ability and success in developing younger players caused him to stand out during the hiring process, Teevens said.
"[He has a] very sharp mind, works well with other staff members and players," Teevens said, adding that Clark "commands respect."
McManus echoed Teevens, noting the high regard the team holds for Clark.
"We're all excited to hear that [Clark] has been promoted to offensive coordinator," McManus said. "The entire team really respects him and looks up to him as a leader."
McManus said Clark provided the driving force behind the football team's recent improvement.
"[Our] work ethic, dedication and drive is really inspired by [Clark]," he said. "I think that's why we really turned the corner last year and improved. He's very demanding but also a very understanding coach."
McManus said the offensive line enjoys playing for Clark, appreciating the strong effort he puts into his work.
"He always goes above and beyond what might be required for the team," McManus said. "He's just the kind of guy you really want to play for."
The Big Green also announced the hiring of Chris Rorke '89, who will serve as the team's quarterback coach and passing-game coordinator on Thursday. Rorke who played under Teevens during his senior season was previously hired by Teevens as receivers coach in 1991 and helped the team win two League titles during his tenure.
