February 11th, 2025 11:00am
By: David McFeely, Director of Media Relations, Southwest Baptist University
Bolivar, Mo. – SBU football head coach Robert Clardy announces his resignation as head football coach. Clardy steps down as the all-time winningest head coach in SBU history.
"We are so thankful for Robert and his commitment to Southwest Baptist University and SBU Football. He has been a part of Bearcat football for 22 years, and we are so thankful for him and what he has meant to our program." – Director of Athletics Clark Sheehy said.
Coach Clardy has been a Bearcat for 22 years including four as a player and 18 as a coach. In 2015, he was named the interim head, and shortly after was named the head coach after leading the team to second in scoring offense in the GLVC. Coach Clardy was named the GLVC coach of the year in 2016 after leading the Bearcats to their first ever conference title and NCAA National playoff appearance. During that season, the team broke 13 team records and 15 individual records. While also recording a record 19 All-GLVC, 10 All-Region honorees, and 3 All-Americans.
Throughout his time as head coach, Clardy has helped the Bearcat football team succeed both on and off the field. He has coached two GLVC scholar athletes of the year in Cooper Callis and Logan Turner. As well, there have been over 10 NCAA All-American awards including one 1st-team Academic All-American (Logan Turner). With all the success in the GLVC, Clardy has had three athletes earn four GLVC Player of the year awards (TJ Edwards, Cooper Callis x2, and Logan Turner).
Prior to becoming the head coach, he was on the football coaching staff for seven seasons as an assistant. He led the Bearcat offense through that time helping produce one of the most prolific offenses in Division II football, where they broke several NCAA records. Clardy coached Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Gachette, who broke four Division II records and finished 7th all-time among all NCAA divisions in total offense with 15,235 yards.
As a player, he graduated from SBU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation. He played quarterback for the Bearcats leading the team in total passing and offensive yards for three consecutive seasons, while leading in rushing and scoring for two. He finished his career 7th all-time in the MIAA conference in total offense.
In search of the 10th SBU football head coach, Southwest Baptist University is partnering with the consultants at Bechler Leadership. Please direct all resumes and questions to them via [email protected] or by calling 765-661-2841. Or you can email Clark Sheehy at [email protected].
Current assistant coach Tyler Curts will take over as the interim head coach. All recruits or prospective recruits can direct your questions/interest to him at [email protected].