Vinnie Clark This is Me

Education

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1. 1. Columbus Destroyers Official Site

   www.columbusdestroyers.com/new - [Cached]

   Published on: 5/12/2007   Last Visited: 5/12/2007

   All roads lead to Columbus for Destroyers defensive assistant Vinnie Clark
   
   Roughly 10 and a half hours will transpire for anyone driving a round trip from Columbus, Ohio, to Buffalo, N.Y., ultimately to return to Columbus.
   
   Unless you're Columbus Destroyers defensive assistant Vinnie Clark, in which case it takes about three years, only because the trip serves as the defining abstract of a successful coaching career.
   
   Although Clark takes nothing for granted, he admits that it's easy to notice the common thread of Ohio's capital city that ties his playing and coaching careers together.
   
   "It is like fate, and I'm glad that (Destroyers coach Doug) Kay brought me back from the staff from last year…. I love Columbus, I love being a part of the Destroyers," Clark said.
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   In 2000, Clark began his coaching career with the Buffalo version of the Destroyers, where he coached defensive backs for the next two seasons.
   
   However, Clark's football career took flight in Columbus as early as 1987, when he began playing as a defensive back for Ohio State. Clark played in both the Hall of Fame Bowl and the Liberty Bowl as a Buckeye, garnering All-American and all-Big Ten honors during the 1990 season on the banks of the Olentangy.
   
   In 1991, he left Columbus to play for the following six years in the NFL, initially drafted in the first round, 19th overall, by the Green Bay Packers, and eventually joining the Atlanta Falcons, then the Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints.
   
   Although coaching and playing the game of football serve as two perspectives on the same subject, Clark emphasizes that the differences between playing and coaching the game are significant.
   
   "[Coaching]'s a lot different. It's a situation where you have to be more of a teacher," Clark said. "In that capacity, it's different, but I still consider myself a player."
   
   The rewards are significant, as well.
   
   "In these few years that I've been coaching, it's been a real good experience of seeing the guys getting better each day, seeing how they're taking coaching and seeing how, using my techniques and methods, to get the guys understanding what we want and understanding how technique can help them in situations," Clark said. "That's been the biggest transition for me."
   
   Clark has enjoyed coaching because, with his mindset as a former player, the desire not only to win, but to improve on any previous experience is perpetually present.
   
   "I love it; I enjoy being around the guys," he said.

2. 2. Columbus Destroyers Official Site

   www.columbusdestroyers.com/tea - [Cached]

   Published on: 5/6/2004   Last Visited: 11/21/2006

   Defensive Assistant Vinnie Clark
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   Vinnie Clark,
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   Vinnie Clark spent his fourth season with the Destroyers in 2006 as the defensive assistant. He began his coaching career with the Buffalo version of the Destroyers in 2000 and spent two seasons as the defensive backs coach.
   
   In 2003, Clark joined Destroyers offensive assistant/special teams' coordinator Chris MacKeown's staff in Cincinnati as the defensive coordinator.
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   Clark spent the 2005 season with the Destroyers as the defensive assistant.
   
   Clark was a standout on the football field as well playing from 1987-1991 at The Ohio State University. On the gridiron as a defensive back for the Buckeyes, Clark played in two bowl games with the Buckeyes, the Hall of Fame Bowl and the Liberty Bowl. He was named All-American and all-Big Ten during the 1990 season.
   
   Following his career with the Buckeyes, Clark was then selected in the first round, 19th overall, by the Green Bay Packers in the 1991 NFL Draft. He played two seasons with the Packers before being traded to the Atlanta Falcons, where he was a Pro Bowl alternate in 1993. From 1995-1997, Clark played for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Clark also has played for the New Orleans Saints.
   
   Clark also serves as the defensive coordinator for Harmony Community High School in Cincinnati. He attended Cincinnati Academy of Physical Education, where he lettered in football and track. He and his wife, Jana, reside in Cincinnati, Ohio, and are the parents of daughter Cecily (9), son Reed (8), Joshua (8).

3. 3. Columbus Destroyers game notes

   www.poker-games-on-line.com/20 - [Cached]

   Last Visited: 11/2/2006

   Jim Lachey returns as the line coach and Vinnie Clark as the defensive assistant.
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   Defensive assistant Vinnie Clark coached with MacKeown in 2003.
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   Clark was the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Swarm (af2).
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   Defensive assistant Vinnie Clark and offensive/defensive lineman Hardy Mitchell spent time with the Buffalo Destroyers. Clark got his start in Arena Football in 2000 in Buffalo.