Steve Clinkscale
_(cropped).jpg) Clinkscale with Michigan in 2021 | |
| Los Angeles Chargers | |
|---|---|
| Title | Passing game coordinator & defensive backs coach |
| Personal information | |
| Born | September 21, 1977 Youngstown, Ohio, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| College | Ashland |
| Career history | |
| |
| Awards and highlights | |
Steve Clinkscale (born September 21, 1977) is an American football coach who is currently the defensive backs coach for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He was previously the defensive backs coach for the University of Michigan and the University of Kentucky.
Early life
[edit]Clinkscale was born in 1977. He grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, and attended Chaney High School. He attended Ashland University where he played football and was the team captain. He graduated in 2000 with a degree in sports science.[1]
Coaching career
[edit]Clinkscale began his coaching career as the defensive backs coach at Ashland from 2001 to 2007. He then held the same position at Western Carolina in 2008. From 2009 to 2011, he was the cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator at Toledo. He next coached defensive backs at Cincinnati from 2013[2][3] to 2015. In January 2015, he was elevated to the defensive coordinator position at Cincinnati.[4]
Clinkscale was hired in March 2016 as the defensive backs coach for the University of Kentucky Wildcats football team.[5] He held that position from 2016 to 2020. Kentucky's defensive backs under Clinkscale led the SEC in passing defense in 2019 and 2020.[1]
Clinkscale was hired in May 2021 as Michigan's defensive backs coach.[6][7] He was hired at an initial annual salary of $600,000.[8] He also became co-defensive coordinator in 2022. He helped lead the Wolverines to a national championship in 2023.[1]
On February 14, 2024, Clinkscale was named as the defensive backs coach for the Los Angeles Chargers.[9] On May 22, 2026, Clinkscale added the role of defensive passing game coordinator to his title.[10]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Steve Clinkscale". Mgoblue.com. University of Michigan. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ↑ "Cincinnati names Steve Clinkscale defensive backs coach | Fox Sports". amp.foxsports.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ↑ "Cincinnati completes staff with Clinkscale". ESPN.com. February 22, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ↑ "Clinkscale new UC D-coordinator". The Cincinnati Enquirer. January 23, 2015. p. C13 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "UK makes Clinkscale hire official". The Courier-Journal. March 2, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Dash, Daniel (May 11, 2021). "Reports: Michigan hires Steve Clinkscale as DBs coach". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ↑ "U-M reels in DBs coach from the SEC with Midwest recruiting experience". Detroit Free Press. May 12, 2021. p. B2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "U-M's Clinkscale gets raise if pass defense is in Top 25". Detroit Free Press. May 22, 2021. p. B8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Los Angeles Chargers Announce Coaching Staff Additions". Chargers.com. February 14, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
- ↑ "Los Angeles Chargers Announce Coaching Fellows and Promotions". chargers.com. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
External links
[edit]- 1977 births
- Living people
- Ashland University alumni
- American football defensive backs
- Illinois Fighting Illini football coaches
- Cincinnati Bearcats football coaches
- Kentucky Wildcats football coaches
- Los Angeles Chargers coaches
- Michigan Wolverines football coaches
- Sportspeople from Youngstown, Ohio
- Coaches of American football from Ohio
- Toledo Rockets football coaches