Lexington Catholic names David Clark head football coach

[theguru]

Lexington Catholic Announces New Head Football Coach

David Clark, a highly accomplished high school football coach who has led Bardstown High School for 27 years as both an assistant and head coach, has been named head football coach at Lexington Catholic High School, President Rob Rumpke and Athletic Director Dave Nurnberg have announced.

Clark, who is a 1996 Centre College graduate, as a head coach has led Bardstown to a Class 3A regional championship and state runner-up and four other state semi-final games, five district championships, and two undefeated regular seasons, has amassed 131 wins in 17 years as a head coach from 2007-2023.  He was an assistant coach and offensive coordinator at Bardstown from 1996-2006, and Bardstown won a 2A state championship in 2001.

“We are very pleased to welcome Coach Clark to our proud football tradition at Lexington Catholic,” said President Rob Rumpke. “  We’re at an important time in our football program history right now and our vision is to continue to compete for state championships and create outstanding young men in Mind, Body & Spirit and we know that David is a veteran coach who has a proven ability to coach at a high level, build relationships with student athletes and parents, and develop a culture that builds young men of high character and integrity.  He will be a great asset to our Lexington Catholic family.”

Clark, who received his master’s degree from Western Kentucky University,” also served as Athletic Director at Bardstown for 20 years and served Bardstown City Schools for 29 years. “I am truly honored and excited to accept the position of head football coach at Lexington Catholic,” said Clark.  “This is a program with a rich tradition of success, and I’m eager to work alongside the dedicated student-athletes, coaches and staff to continue building on that legacy.   I look forward to fostering an environment of hard work, discipline, and excellence, both on and off the field.  Together, we will strive to achieve greatness and make the Lexington Catholic community proud.”

Clark also notes that, “being an educator is my calling and purpose,” and his goal as coach “is to teach the basic principles of life through the game of football.”   Clark and his wife Amy have three children: Brady 22, Kate 20, and Eloise, 11.

https://www.lexingtoncatholic.com/apps/news/article/2058989

[TylerDurden]

That hire gets a shoulder shrug and a "mehhh" from me, to be honest.

[theguru]

@Hearsay what do you think of this hire by Lexington Catholic?

[theguru]

36 minutes ago, TylerDurden said:

That hire gets a shoulder shrug and a "mehhh" from me, to be honest.

Why?

[BillNye]

I’m also curious as to the why. I think Coach Clark is great at what he does and has a nice track record. He’s seen it all.. he’s had and seen below average, average, and great teams and I always thought he got the most out of them. 
 

I’m happy for him and wish him great success. 
 

Good luck, Coach!

[Hearsay]

6 hours ago, theguru said:

@Hearsay what do you think of this hire by Lexington Catholic?

It’s a high-integrity move. I spoke with him about it this morning, and he is energized by the opportunity.

David is a no-nonsense, nose-to-the-grindstone quiet motivator who squeezes every ounce of effort out of what he has. From personal experience, I can tell you that 1) if there are bad eggs or primma donnas, they will be given a fair opportunity to reform, but if they don’t they will be gone. David would rather lose every single game than tolerate a player causing dissension in the ranks; 2) he will not be beholden to booster clubs. I tried to get him to start one at Bardstown for years and he refused. If you are a volunteer genuinely there for the good of the program he will value you, but it will not garner your child anymore playing time if they would not otherwise deserve it; 3) he is there to build men, not showcase players; 4) he is a moral man. Religious (Catholic). Good husband. Good father. No vices, unless you count pulled pork nachos. Very intelligent, can easily teach some AP courses. No Daddy Ball. He can’t be bought.

Bardstown was a constant struggle every day due to the realities posed by our demographic. I have always wondered what Dave could do with a different demographic and better resources. He managed to build a consistent winner without those things.  Now we shall find out.

Now I’m just a ham-and-egger that’s been around him since we were in college, so my opinions don’t carry much water. But there are a lot of very successful coaches around this state that I would think echo my sentiments. Ask Chuck Smith, for example.

If you’re looking for the high polish shiny flashy TV-ready coach, this is not your guy. If, however, you’re looking for the blue-collar man’s man that values effort and merit and gives every kid a fair shake and will restore a moral compass to a program, this is your guy.

Just my .02 from bourbon country.

[Breds82]

Why wouldn't he want a booster club? Wouldn't that have helped the football program (all sports really)? What does he do if Lexington Catholic has one? I like the no nonsense approach, to many coaches across all sports try to be a people pleaser.

[SC Fball HC]

Really solid hire, knows how to run a tradition rich program!  Great human being, understands the game, just a really good hire.   Very consistent in everything he does and his teams perform that way!

He will be great for Lexington Catholic!

[Zeleke3]

Congratulations to my friend, Coach Clark. This is a Big Time hire. Coach Clark has had much success at Bardstown. Beyond that he is a fair man with integrity with a humble heart and strong work ethic. My son played two years for him and Coach was tremendous and fair to him. Despite some difficulties my son was having. He was also my Athletic Director for one year. He was always available in any situation and dealt with all situations in a calm, effective manner. Lexington Catholic's program will rise under Coach Clark's leadership. I know that he will be welcomed to their program. Good Luck Coach in every way!!!

[LC07]

16 hours ago, TylerDurden said:

That hire gets a shoulder shrug and a "mehhh" from me, to be honest.

The previous three head coaches had zero head coaching experience. Coach Clark has 17 years. I believe the stability and experience he brings make him an ideal hire. 

[AppalachianTactician]

Seems like a quality hire that would seemingly bring stability to a Lex Cath program that has had a lot of coaching turnover during the several years. Coached against him before and he definitely brings the best out of them when they had a tremendous talent

[Hearsay]

11 hours ago, Breds82 said:

Why wouldn't he want a booster club? Wouldn't that have helped the football program (all sports really)? What does he do if Lexington Catholic has one? I like the no nonsense approach, to many coaches across all sports try to be a people pleaser.

If LexCath has one he will work with the Booster Club. He can certainly do that so long as booster club volunteers are not using their position as an underpinning of expectation about anything.

[Breds82]

I suppose I’m pretty naive as I wasn’t good enough to have my parents have the coaches ear. Is he opposed to the support of a booster club because of a past experience gone wrong? I would think shaking hands and kissing babies (the booster club) would only increase support for team (financially and numbers). 

[Hearsay]

31 minutes ago, Breds82 said:

I suppose I’m pretty naive as I wasn’t good enough to have my parents have the coaches ear. Is he opposed to the support of a booster club because of a past experience gone wrong? I would think shaking hands and kissing babies (the booster club) would only increase support for team (financially and numbers). 

No, no. 😂 Nothing bad. He inherited his opinion from Joey Downs, who inherited it from Garnis Martin, etc. The key takeaway I should have been more clear on is he won’t be beholden to anyone.

[Breds82]

I guess that’s what I was getting at. The only football I’ve been around is from the officiating stand point. As a player I never thought about what kind of influence the booster clubs could have, but as an official I certainly saw and heard of plenty of kids getting PT because of outside influence. Good for him for at least staying true to his beliefs.