While many of you were huddled around television sets last Sunday, new Bowling Green head football coach Dave Clawson was hard at work.

Clawson

Coach is in the midst of recruiting season and a handful of potential Falcons were on campus for a visit.

Clawson and his group of young men did take a moment to check out the NFC Championship game between the Cardinals and the Eagles.

Then one recruit asked coach, “Did you ever coach any guys that are in the NFL?”

Coach Clawson simply answered, “Yes, a few.”

For those who don’t know, coach Clawson’s previous job was as offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee. However, the NFL talent coach is speaking of did not come from his time with the Volunteers.

One of his earliest coaching jobs was at the University of Villanova where he was an assistant. Clawson helped mold current Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brian Finneran and Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook during his time with the Wildcats.

After spending some time at Fordham University during most of the 1990s, Clawson became the head coach of the University of Richmond. His time with the Spiders is where his NFL web of talent becomes complete.

“I certainly had a number of players at Richmond that could have helped us at Tennessee,” coach Clawson said.

One of them included current Arizona Cardinals running back Tim Hightower. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound beast of a back was an incoming freshman when Clawson arrived at Richmond and though he didn’t recruit him, coach knew he had a special player on his team.

“Right away he was somebody that impressed me with his toughness,” Clawson said of Hightower.

Coach contemplated where to play him. With his size and agility, Hightower could either be utilized a small fullback or large tailback. Instead of choosing one or the other, Clawson turned Hightower into a hybrid as a running back and full back in addition to helping out on special teams.

“{Tim} really impressed us with his versatility,” coach Clawson said. “But it was more so his willingness and want to do anything to help the team.”

Hightower’s hunger to help the Spiders earned him playing time as a true freshman. Though he only rushed for over 160 yards, Hightower also racked up over 150 yards receiving in a limited offensive role.

The juggling of several positions would continue his sophomore season, but now Hightower was earning a more prominent role in the back field.

“He’d score a 30, 40-yard touchdown and two plays later he would be running down the kick off, breaking up the wedge,” Clawson said.

Hightower rushed for over 700 yards his sophomore season with the Spiders and found the end zone nine times. He followed that up with a seven touchdown season his junior year, while rushing for over 800 yards and 250 yards receiving.

“He was a good back for three years, but became a great back his senior year,” Clawson said. “A lot of that was just through his off-season dedication.”

In his senior season at Richmond, Hightower rushed for over 1900 yards, scoring 20 touchdowns. He also caught three touchdowns with over 200 yards receiving. Clawson and Hightower leading the Spiders to the national semi-finals.

“He’s talented,” Clawson said. “But as much as any player I’ve ever coached he has willed himself to be a great football player.”

Back in Bowling Green, sitting in front of the television set watching the Eagles and Cardinals fight for the right to play for the Super Bowl, coach Clawson took a minute to soak up the moment.

“It’s exciting,” Clawson said. “There is the NFC Championship game and the two starting tailbacks I coached.”

Coach Clawson said he shot some text messages to Hightower at the beginning of the season. He plans on shooting a few more in the days leading up to the Super Bowl. In the meantime, the Bowling Green football coach is going to keep his eye out for a special delivery.

“He was going to send me an Arizona Cardinals hat,” Clawson said. “I’m still waiting on it.”

Ryan Fowler is the Weekend Sports Anchor at NBC 24 and can be reached at bgsualum03@hotmail.com.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 23rd, 2009 at 2:00 am and is filed under Pro Football, Sports, TV Time Out.
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