The UCF Knights have started the 2025 season 3-0, but the team is far from celebrating. On Monday, they announced the devastating loss of offensive line coach Shawn Clark, who passed away at just 50 years old after being hospitalized for a medical emergency on September 9.
UCF head coach Scott Frost recently announced that the team will pay tribute to Clark in their Week 5 game and also revealed who will step in to fill Clark’s role following his passing.
UCF To Honor Late Coach Shawn Clark While Scott Frost Names Replacement
Clark’s death was unexpected and devastating for both his family and the UCF football program. The community is undoubtedly reeling from the news, and it was announced that the Knights will wear a decal on their helmets to honor Clark in their game against Kansas State on Saturday, September 27.
#UCF will honor late OL coach Shawn Clark with a decal on the back of their helmets this week https://t.co/Lfx469Ti2s
— Chris Boyle (@ChrisBoyleDBNJ) September 24, 2025
After wrapping up his playing career as an offensive lineman at Appalachian State from 1994 to 1998, Clark began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Louisville in 2001.
He went on to have a successful career, eventually becoming Appalachian State’s head coach in 2020, a role he held until 2024. This season, he took over as UCF’s offensive line coach.
Following his passing, Scott Frost announced that Danny Hope, who served as Purdue’s head coach from 2009 to 2012, will take over as the Knights’ new offensive line coach.
#UCF coach Scott Frost said former Purdue coach Danny Hope is joining the staff to help with the offensive line.
— Matt Murschel (@osmattmurschel) September 24, 2025
It’s an appropriate hire, especially given Hope’s longtime connection with Clark. They first crossed paths at Louisville in 2002, and when Hope became Eastern Kentucky’s head coach in 2003, he brought Clark on as his offensive line coach. Hope then hired Clark again when he took the Purdue job in 2009.
Hope hasn’t coached since 2019, so his decision to take the job at UCF is likely out of respect for his late friend. It’s a touching move by Frost as well, and now Hope will be responsible for continuing the work that Clark had started with the Knights.
In the two games that Clark coached in 2025, the Knights’ offense performed at a high level behind a strong offensive line.
They totaled 422 yards in their Week 1 victory over Jacksonville State, followed by a 560-yard performance in Week 2 against North Carolina A&T, which included Clark’s unit paving the way for 356 rushing yards and an average of 11.1 yards per carry.
Hope will have to fill some big shoes in the wake of Clark’s passing, and there’s no doubt he’ll be coaching hard for his friend. The Knights will undoubtedly play hard for their coach as they take on Kansas State on September 27.
