Charles Clark is in his first season as Purdue's defensive backs coach. Clark joined head coach Barry Odom and the Boilermakers after spending the past five seasons at Memphis, including the 2024 campaign as the Tigers' associate head coach.
The Tigers won 42 games with Clark on staff, including an undefeated mark in bowl games. Clark coached an All-AAC defensive back in each of his five seasons at Memphis. Quindell Johnson was a three-time selection with first team honors in 2022 and second team honors in 2020 and 2021. Johnson finished his three seasons under Clark with 263 total tackles (178 solo), 13 tackles-for-loss, eight interceptions, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries before signing with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent. Davion Ross was a first team selection in 2024 and honorable mention in 2022, while Simeon Blair was Third Team All-AAC in 2023.
This past season, Clark's defensive backs helped Memphis rank Top 5 in the AAC in scoring defense (23.8) and total yards allowed (369.3). Under Clark's tutelage, Ross tallied three interceptions and 11 pass breakups (second in AAC) on his way to earning First Team All-AAC accolades.
In 2023, Clark helped guide the Tigers to a 10-3 season, including a win in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl over Iowa State. The 10-win season was just the fifth in program history. Defensively, Memphis ranked fourth in the NCAA in fourth-down conversion percentage defense (.290), 15th in defensive touchdowns (3) and 24th in third-down conversion percentage defense (.333). Blair earned Third Team All-AAC honors after totaling 63 tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss, two interceptions, five pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and one forced fumble. His two fumble recoveries were tied for 19th in the nation.
During the 2022 season, Clark helped coach Memphis to a 38-10 victory over Utah State in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. The Tigers finished the season ranked fifth in the nation in fewest penalties (53), 10th in interceptions (16) and 25th in turnovers gained (25). Johnson was named First Team All-AAC, while Ross was named Honorable Mention All-AAC. Johnson led the conference and ranked 22nd nationally with four interceptions, while Ross broke up a team-best six passes and had an interception.
In 2021, Clark helped the Tigers to the program's eighth-straight bowl appearance, as the team was named EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl champions after Hawai'i withdrew from the game. For the bowl, Clark served as interim defensive coordinator. Johnson was named Second Team All-AAC for the second-straight season after ranking second in the conference in total tackles (104) and solo tackles (66). He also ranked third in the league in tackles per game (8.8) and sixth in pass breakups (11). Johnson also had 4.5 tackles-for-loss, one sack and one interception on the year. Nationally, Johnson finished 12th in solo tackles (5.5) and 27th in total tackles (8.8).
In his first season in 2020, Clark and his unit helped Memphis rank 13th in the nation in turnovers gained (20), 17th in the country in interceptions (12) and 19th in red zone defense (.744). Johnson earned second team all-conference accolades after leading the team with 81 stops on the year. Johnson also tallied three interceptions, five pass breakups, two tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles and one blocked kick.
Clark arrived in Memphis after spending the 2019 season on the staff at Ole Miss as the program's secondary coach. There, he helped defensive back Keidron Smith rank in the Top 25 in the country in forced fumbles (3).
Clark moved to the staff at Oregon in 2017, serving as the team's cornerbacks coach.
In 2013, Clark left San Jose to join the staff at Colorado, working under head coach Mike MacIntyre. He served as the safeties coach in 2013 and 2014 and moved to cornerbacks coach in 2015 and 2016. The secondary helped Colorado to a 2016 Pac-12 South Division title and a Valero Alamo Bowl appearance. The defensive unit ranked second in the league and 21st in the country in pass defense (193.6 ypg) and tied for third in the nation in passing yards allowed per attempt (5.7). Four Colorado defensive backs earned all-conference honors in Clark's time there, and three were drafted in the first four rounds of the NFL Draft.
From 2010-12, Clark coached the defensive backs at San Jose State. The Spartans led the WAC in interceptions (15) and forced turnovers (12) and saw three of Clark's players (Bene Benwikere, Duke Ihenacho, and Peyton Thompson) earn all-conference honors and become eventual NFL Draft picks.
Clark's first coaching stop was at Duke, where he served as a defensive quality control intern in 2008. He also assisted with special teams and defense while on the Blue Devil staff and was promoted to a graduate assistant position in 2009 with those two units.
A four-year letterwinner and three-year starter for Ole Miss from 2003-06, Clark appeared in 47 games, with 34 consecutive starts to end his collegiate playing career. A native of Green Cove Springs, Florida, he finished with 198 tackles, three interceptions, 12 PBUs and five fumble recoveries.
Clark graduated in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in banking and finance from Ole Miss. He briefly worked in private business before moving into coaching.
