Offensive Coaching Staff
Dan Clark
Offensive Line
Former Illinois State co-offensive coordinator Dan Clark joined the staff at SIU as offensive line coach on Feb. 9, 2022.
During Clark’s tenure at Illinois State, the Redbird’s offensive line helped the team to three FCS playoff appearances from 2014-16 and set up the program's run to the 2014 FCS title game in Frisco, Texas.
Clark mentored offensive guard Michael Liedtke of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and offensive tackle Jermaine Barton of the Buffalo Bills during his time with the Redbirds, while also working with the Josh Aladenoye, who went on to sign with Dallas Cowboys as a free agent.
Prior to Illinois State, Clark served as the tight ends and special teams coach at Northern Iowa for three seasons (2010-12). He was a part of the coaching staff that led the Panthers to two MVFC championships and two FCS playoff appearances with a cumulative record of 22-14.
In Clark’s first year at Northern Iowa, two of his graduating tight ends signed free agent contracts in the NFL. Schuylar Oordt inked a deal with the St. Louis Rams, while Ryan Mahaffey signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Ravens.
Before coaching at Northern Iowa, Clark served as an offensive graduate assistant coach at the University of Iowa (2007-09). Clark assisted with the offensive line and tight ends, helping Iowa to three-consecutive bowl berths, including a victory over Georgia Tech in the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl and the 2009 Outback Bowl title.
Clark joined the Iowa staff after serving as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Iowa Central Community College for seven seasons (2000-06). During that time Clark helped Iowa Central compile a 56-20 overall record while advancing to a junior college bowl game in six of the seven seasons. Clark also served as an assistant coach at NCAA Division III Simpson College for four seasons (1996-99). During his time at Simpson College, the Storm reached the 1997 NCAA Division III semifinal game and posted a five-year combined record of 42-12.
A four-year member of the Simpson College football team as an undergraduate (1991-94), Clark started at quarterback for three years and was a two-year starter at third base for the Storm’s baseball team. He received his bachelor’s degree in physical education at Simpson College in 1995.
A native of Livermore, Iowa, Clark is a member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and the Iowa High School Football Association. His brother, Derrik, played football at Iowa State and his brother, Dallas, was an All-American tight end at Iowa before putting together an 11-year career in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baltimore Ravens.
Dan and his wife, Kristin, have three children, Drew, Paetyn and Jace.
The Clark File
Hometown: Livermore, Iowa
High School: Twin River Valley
College: Simpson College (1995); Iowa
Playing Experience: Three-year starting quarterback and two-year starting third baseman at Simpson College
Family: Kristin (wife), Drew and Jace (sons), Paetyn (daughter)
Coaching Experience
2021: Grand View (Running Backs)
2019-20: University of Dubuque (Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line)
2018: Stephen F. Austin | Assistant Coach (Offensive Line)
2013-17: Illinois State | Co-Offensive Coordinator/Run Game Coordinator-Offensive Line Coach
2010-12: Northern Iowa | Tight Ends/Special Teams Coach
2007-09: Iowa | Offensive Graduate Assistant (Offensive Line/Tight Ends)
2000-07: Iowa Central Community College | Defensive Coordinator-Secondary/Special Teams/Defensive Backs Coach
1995-99: Simpson College | Quarterbacks/Linebackers Coach
Zach Grant
Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator
Zach Grant joined SIU's coaching staff as wide receivers coach in December, 2022.
Grant spent the previous three seasons on the staff at Western Illinois, where he initially coached running backs, before switching to the wide receiver room.
The Springfield, Illinois native replaced long-time SIU tight ends coach Pat Poore, who announced his retirement after the 2022 season.
Grant played wide receiver at the University of Illinois from 2013-16, and was a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. As a senior in 2016, he was second on the team in catches with 26.
After graduation, Grant transitioned to coaching, serving as an offensive graduate assistant at Illinois under Rod Smith. In 2019, the Illini improved to 12th in the nation in rushing yards per game (+110 spots in the rankings), second in 40+ yard runs (+93), 51st in yards per play (+73) and 62nd in total offense (+64).
Grant played at Rochester High School, the same school as SIU quarterback Nic Baker, where he helped lead the program to IHSA Class 4A state championships in 2010 and 2011.
Nate Griffin
Tight Ends
Nate Griffin joined Nick Hill’s staff as running backs coach in 2016 and moved to the tight ends room in 2023.
Griffin came to Carbondale from Minnesota, where he spent four seasons in the Big Ten on the Golden Gophers staff.
At SIU, Griffin has mentored some of the greatest running backs in school history, including a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in the 2019 season — D.J. Davis and Javon Williams Jr. As a unit, SIU’s ground game ranked No. 12 in the nation.
Davis totaled 5,431 career all-purpose yards — finishing with the 2nd most yards in school history and 7th in MVFC history. He also finished fifth in career rushing yards at SIU (2,697) and 11th in receptions (112). Williams earned All-American status in 2019 and finished 3rd in the voting for Jerry Rice Award, which goes to the nation’s top freshman in FCS football. He led all Division I freshmen with 19 TDs (17 rushing, 2 receiving) and finished with 1,038 rushing yards (2nd nationally among freshmen).
As recruiting coordinator, Griffin made an immediate impact, earning recognition from Hero Sports for bringing in some of the top recruits in the FCS in 2016.
Griffin served as a quality control assistant on offense for Minnesota, working with opponent scouting, self scouting and day-to-day operations of the offense. He came to Minnesota from Truman State, where he coached the defensive line in 2011. In addition to working with former SIU coach Jerry Kill at Minnesota, Griffin worked with Kill as a graduate assistant at Northern Illinois in 2008 and 2009, working with running backs and fullbacks.
Griffin also has coaching stints at Northern Colorado and Idaho, where he played for the Vandals from 2000-03. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Idaho and a master’s degree in sports administration from Northern Colorado. Griffin and his wife, Amy, have one daughter and one son.
Larry Warner
Running Backs
Larry Warner, one of SIU’s all-time great tailbacks, returned to coach the team’s running backs, head coach Nick Hill announced on Jan. 20, 2023.
Known by his nickname, “Lighting Larry,” the 5-foot-6 Warner electrified Saluki fans for two seasons, including a 2008 campaign in which he rushed for 1,265 yards and was named First-Team Associated Press All-American.
Warner returned a school-record three kickoffs for touchdowns in 2008 and was the fourth-fastest player in school history to reach 1,000 rushing yards, accomplishing the feat in just 130 carries.
“He was the first person I called when a spot opened up on my staff,” said Hill, who played with Warner on SIU’s 2007 team that went 12-2 and advanced to the Final Four of the postseason playoffs. “He is a close friend, and he shares the same core values and passion for our program. You’re not going to find anybody that has more energy than Larry.”
Warner began his coaching career at Carbondale High School in 2009, before joining Dale Lennon’s staff at SIU as a graduate assistant in 2011. He later joined Hill at CHS, before the two became full-time assistants for Lennon from 2014-15.
After leaving Southern, Warner coached at Central Arkansas (RBs, 2016-17), South Alabama (RBs, 2018-20) Arkansas-Pine Bluff (RBs, 2020-21) and Texas Southern (RBs/Special Teams, 2022). Warner has mentored numerous All-Conference running backs throughout his career, including All-American Tra Minter at South Alabama.
Prior to coming to Southern Illinois as a player, Warner was a NJCAA All-American at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in 2006, and led his team with 1,237 yards.
A 2009 graduate of Southern Illinois with a degree in recreation, Warner and his wife Dominique have two daughters, Penny and Alivia.
Ryan McVicker
Quarterbacks Coach