Clark coached Lions 1978-84 and was Dolphins' assistant in 17-0 season
Allen Park, Mich.- Monte Clark, a long-time player and coach in the National Football League including seven seasons as head coach of the Detroit Lions (1978-84), died last night (September 16) at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit after an extended illness with a bone marrow malignancy associated with lung and liver disease. He was 72.
Clark is survived by his wife of 52 years, Charlotte, sons Randy (and wife Michele), Bryan and Eric (and wife Beth) and eight grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Don of Kingsburg, Calif., and sisters Dolene Nelson of Kingsburg and Kathy Lowe of Clovis, Calif.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home (248.549.0500). The family has asked in lieu of flowers or food donations, that memorial donations be made to the Kirk in the Hills Church Outreach and Benevolence Funds (1340 Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302; 248.626.2515).
"Monte will always be remembered as a consummate football man," praised Lions President Tom Lewand. "He knew football inside and out, and had a passion for it. He played the game at a high level and had success wherever he coached. Monte also had a terrific sense of humor. Anyone who knew him could tell you Monte stories that always bring a laugh. Our deepest sympathies go out to Charlotte and the entire Clark family. He will be greatly missed."
In 1978, Clark's first year as head coach of the Lions, Detroit drafted defensive lineman Al "Bubba" Baker in the second round. Baker set the NFL on fire recording 23 quarterback sacks that season and was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
"Monte Clark taught me how to be a professional," said Baker. "When you are a young kid coming into the pros, you have a lot to learn. I didn't see everything he was trying to teach me right away but as my career progressed I said 'Thank God for Monte Clark.' He helped smooth out my rough edges and that enabled me to have a 13-year NFL career. I have the deepest respect for Coach."
In 1980, Clark helped engineer a Lions' draft that brought running back Billy Sims to Detroit with the first overall pick, quarterback Eric Hipple in the fourth round and, in the seventh round, place-kicker Eddie Murray.
Sims was the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1980 when he rushed for 1,303 yards and scored 13 touchdowns.
"I thought the world of Coach Clark and had the upmost respect for him," said Sims. "I really appreciated that he was always in my corner."
Hipple played 10 seasons for the Lions (1980-89) and burst onto the scene in his first NFL start on October 19, 1981. Hipple passed for four touchdowns and rushed for two more scores in a 48-17 Lions' romp over the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.
"I developed a warm relationship with Coach over the many years that we knew each other," said Hipple. "He had a great mind in coaching football particularly on offense, and he was always there for me to help in any way he could during my difficult times years ago."
Murray was selected MVP of the NFL Pro Bowl after his rookie season and ranks 12th in all-time NFL scoring after a 19-season career, his first 12 years in Detroit.
"I will always hold a special place in my heart for Monte after the Lions drafted me in 1980," reflected Murray. "He gave me an opportunity and saw things in me that I didn't see. He always encouraged me to be the best I could possibly be."
Monte Clark enjoyed a football career that spanned over the past 60 years. He was an extraordinary talent out of high school, he played for one of the nation's most historic college football programs, he blocked for one of the NFL's greatest all-time players, he was on the coaching staff of the last undefeated NFL team and he served as a head coach at the pro level, leading the franchise to back-to-back playoff appearances.
While he had many steps along the way, Clark was very much involved in the game up until his recent illness.
NFL COACHING CAREER
Overall, Clark was involved both as a player and as a coach in the NFL World Championship or Super Bowl five times and had three Super Bowl or Championship rings to show for it.
Monte Clark was the head coach for the Detroit Lions from 1978-84 (seven season), and his 1983 squad was the first Lions team in 26 previous years to win the Central Division title. Clark led the Lions to back-to-back playoff appearances in 1982-83, which was the first time the Lions had accomplished that since the team's three-straight playoff runs from 1952-54.
Clark's two best seasons were 1980 and 1983 when the Lions finished 9-7 in each of those years. He complied a coaching record of 63-61-1 (.457) in the regular season. Including postseason, Clark led the Lions on the sidelines for 107 games.
During Clark's seven-year tenure with the Lions, seven players were named to 14 Pro Bowls. Those players included DE Al "Bubba" Baker (1979, 1981), T Keith Dorney (1983), DE Doug English (1979, 1982-84), TE David Hill (1979-80), K Eddie Murray (1981), P Tom Skladany (1982) and RB Billy Sims (1981-83). At least two members of the Lions offense, defense and special teams each were represented in the Pro Bowl during Clark's time in Detroit.
Besides the two playoff runs, Clark's teams are remembered for Sims' spectacular splash into the NFL as a rookie in 1980 and for the dominating defensive line that earned the nickname "Silver Rush" led by Baker and English. Sims was the 1980 NFL Rookie of the Year and Baker was the 1978 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Baker, English, Murray and Sims were named to the Detroit Lions 75th Season All-Time Team in 2008.
Clark entered the coaching ranks after the 1969 season when he retired as a player and took a post with the Miami Dolphins as Don Shula's offensive line coach. Based largely on the way the Browns had successfully run the football over the years, Clark was also responsible for the Dolphins run offense planning.
Clark built his coaching reputation in Miami by developing a makeshift line of free agents and cast-offs into arguably one of the best offensive line units of all time, which he nicknamed "The Mushrooms." All five became Pro Bowl performers. Two of his linemen (Little and Langer) are in the NFL Hall of Fame, and a third player, Bob Kuechenberg, has been on the last five Hall of Fame ballots.
In the six seasons Clark worked for the Dolphins, they were in three Super Bowls-winning two (1972 & 1973) including the only "Perfect Season",17-0 in 1972, in NFL history. They also set the all-time single season rushing record and were the first team ever to have both backs over 1,000 yards in a single season.
"The Mushrooms" distinguished themselves for their pass protection, clever techniques, flawless precision and physical playing style.
In 1976, Clark left the Dolphins and accepted the position as Head Coach and Director of Football Operations for the San Francisco 49ers. He turned the team around and posted an 8-6 record.
The 49ers were sold, and although the 49ers wanted him to stay, Clark accepted a similar position as head coach of the Detroit Lions.
Clark returned to the Miami Dolphins and worked both as a Pro Personnel Director and later as offensive line coach until coach Don Shula retired in 1995. He also spent a couple of years with his long time friend Bill Walsh at Stanford University; then did a stint at University of California (Berkeley) as offensive line coach.
For 10 years (1999-2008), Clark served as a consultant for the Detroit Lions.
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