DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Director of Athletics and Recreation
Lori Hendricks announced the hiring of Ralph Clark as the next Head Coach for Women's Flag Football. Additionally, he will serve as an assistant coach for the football team. In his new role, Clark will spearhead the creation of the flag football team which will make its varsity debut in the Spring of 2028. He will join the department on June 8.
"We are thrilled at the chance to launch women's flag football as it begins its NCAA debut," said Hendricks. "The sport is growing swiftly across the country; moreover, the NCAA is already talking about its first Championship potentially aligning with the sport's Olympic entrance in 2028. I openly talked with Coach Clark about our interest in contending for a national championship right out of the gate." Hendricks continued, "Ralph's experience and enthusiasm will also benefit the members of our football team. Adding him as an assistant coach will only enhance the firepower of a tenured and successful coaching staff."
Clark comes to the South Coast following a second stint with the football program at Millersville University. He served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, adding recruiting coordinator responsibilities in 2025. In his role, he directed defensive strategy and supervised assistant coaches. He also coached All-PSAC East linebacker Bryce Beutler.
Prior to rejoining Millersville, Clark worked as the special teams coordinator at Albright College for two seasons. He spent five seasons at Alvernia University, becoming the first head coach in program history. During his tenure, he recruited over 300 student-athletes to launch the program, producing six All-MAC performers in three seasons.
Clark spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Seton Hill University. In his first stint at Millersville, Clark made significant improvements to Marauders' defenses as its coordinator, helping it rank fifth in the PSAC in total defense and second in passing defense during the 2015 season.
Clark boasts a long career of coaching at both the collegiate and high school levels and working with a variety of position groups. He served as the assistant head football coach and defensive coordinator at Bishop O'Connell High School in Virginia. Additionally, he coached linebackers and served as the strength and conditioning coordinator at Virginia Union in 2011. In 2010, Clark coordinated the defense at Saint Francis University. That unit ranked among the NEC leaders in red zone defense, and linebacker Scott Lewis became the school's all-time leading tackler.
Clark served as linebackers coach, pro scout liaison, travel coordinator, compliance coordinator and academic counselor over two seasons at Northeastern University. From 2006-2008, Clark coordinated the Rose-Hulman Institute defense to a No. 2 ranking in run defense in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC). His team also finished second in rushing defense in 2006, holding opponents to just 91.3 rushing yards a game.
Clarks' collegiate coaching career began at Georgetown University as the secondary coach in 2004 and linebackers coach in 2005. Georgetown ranked No. 4 nationally in passing defense in 2004. Prior to joining the Georgetown staff, Clark coached at three high schools in the Virginia/District of Columbia area from 1998-2004.
Clark earned a bachelor's degree in communications management from Robert Morris in 1998. He was a four-year letterman for the Colonials. He totaled 1,362 yards and 12 touchdowns as a running back.
