Jesse Clark became head coach Stacie Terry’s first hire when he was brought on board as an assistant coach on June 10, 2013.
With more than 20 years of coaching experience, Clark is involved with every phase of Aztec program, including the development of post players, as well as recruiting and scouting. He also oversees the team’s life skills program.
As the program’s former scheduler, SDSU has competed against storied programs, such as South Carolina, Michigan and Washington. Since 2014, San Diego State has played 22 postseason teams (seven in 2014-15, five in 2015-16, 10 in 2016-17).
In his first year at SDSU, Clark oversaw the play of first-team all-Mountain West performer Cierra Warren. In 2013-14, she led the conference with a .544 field-goal percentage, which ranked 31st in the nation, and was the Aztecs' leading scorer that year, averaging 15.4 points per game to go along with a team-high 42 blocked shots.
During Clark’s tenure at SMC, the Gaels compiled 112 victories and made four consecutive trips to the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT), including a quarterfinal appearance in his final season. He coached five all-West Coast Conference performers, including Jackie Nared, who led the league in scoring during the 2012-13 campaign, as well as Louella Tomlinson, who collected back-to-back defensive player-of-the-year awards in 2009-10. In addition, Jontelle Smith finished her career as the Gaels’ all-time leader in three-point field goals and ranks fifth in scoring.
Prior to his arrival at SMC, Clark served as director of video operations at Stanford, where he was responsible for film exchange, game editing, scouting, and analysis. Clark also spent two seasons at the University of San Francisco from 2003-05, where he coached two-time WCC Defensive Player of the Year Toni Russell and helped recruit Dominique Carter, who was named the league’s top newcomer in 2004.
Clark entered the coaching ranks in 1996 as an assistant at his alma mater Pacific Union College in Angwin, Calif., where he also doubled as assistant athletic director and sports information director. In 1997, he was elevated to head coach, leading the Pioneers to three California Pacific Conference tournament appearances in five seasons.
Clark then landed an assistant’s role at CSU Bakersfield for the 2002-03 season, helping the Roadrunners capture the NCAA Division II West Region Championship and a berth in the Elite Eight series. Under Clark’s guidance, CSUB’s Heather Garay was named California Collegiate Athletic Association player of the year and earned a spot on the Kodak DII All-America team.
A native of Tacoma, Wash., Clark has one son named Jacob. Clark received a bachelor of science degree in business education from Pacific Union in 2003 and played collegiately for the school from 1992-96 after prepping at Fresno Academy in Fresno, Calif.
The Jesse Clark File
Hometown
Tacoma, Wash.
Education
Pacific Union College (B.S., Business Education - 2003)
Playing Experience
1992-96 Pacific Union
Clark's Previous Coaching Experience
1996-97 Pacific Union, Assistant Coach
1997-02 Pacific Union, Head Coach
2002-03 CSU Bakersfield, Assistant Coach
2003-05 University of San Francisco, Assistant Coach
2006-07 Stanford, Director of Video Operations
2007-13 Saint Mary's College, Assistant Coach