Garrett Clawson joined the Bearcat coaching staff in January of 2019 and oversees Saint Vincent's special teams and linebackers.
During the COVID-abbreviated spring 2021 season, Clawson was integral in the development of kicker/punter Jared Gonzalez. The freshman earned All-Presidents' Athletic Conference honors at both positions. Gonzalez went a perfect 15-for-15 on extra point attempts to rank fourth in the league in scoring, while his 35.1 yard punting average ranked third in the conference. Gonzalez also booted the two longest punts of the spring season in the PAC, including a 56-yard boot in the season-opener at Grove City and a 52-yard blast in the team's win over Bethany.
In 2019, Bearcat punter Christian Witchey earned First Team All-PAC honors after leading the circuit with a punting average of 38.7 yards. He blasted five punts of 50 or more yards, highlighted by a 66-yard punt against Westminster.
During his first two seasons on the SVC staff, Clawson coached the team's running backs in addition to its special teams unit. Running back Mike Stasko earned All-PAC honors in both 2019 and spring 2021. In 2019, Stasko set Bearcat team records for both rushing yards (907) and touchdowns (10), while he graduated as the team's all-time career record holder in rushing yards (1,877) and attempts (443), while ranking second in touchdowns (23). Stasko was one of two Bearcat running backs to earn All-PAC honors in the spring 2021 season, joining David Marshall.
Prior to arriving at Saint Vincent, Clawson served on the staff at Saint Francis University from 2016-18, coaching special teams and running backs.
In 2018 SFU Special Teams lead the North East Conference in net punting (37.8), punt return Aag. (12.0), and made field goals (13). The Red Flash Specialists nearly swept 1st Team-All Conference honors for their efforts.
Clawson also mentored SFU freshman tailback Chris Cropper, a two-time NEC Offensive Rookie of the week recipient.
In 2017, Saint Francis had a solid year on special teams, led by two All-NEC selections. The team also blocked four kicks, ranking 19th in the FCS, with three blocked field goals and one blocked punt.
In 2016 Clawson’s running back unit helped SFU to rank third in the NEC, and 55th in the FCS, with a 26.9 scoring average in 2016. SFU averaged 218.9 yards through the air and 126.2 on the ground. SFU averaged 345.1 total yards per game.
In his first season as Special Teams Coordinator, he helped turn the nation’s lowest Net Punting Average (27.18) into one of the nation’s top punting units, averaging 36.88 in Net Punt Average while Punt Return Defensive ranked fifth in country (2.73).
Clawson spent the 2014 and 2015 seasons at Westminster College, where he helped spark a fast turnaround leading to a 9-2 season and ECAC Bowl victory for the Titans in 2015.
Under his guidance, Westminster did not give up a blocked punt, blocked kick or special teams touchdown during the 2014 season. He also helped kicker Justin Dahl to set new career-highs as Dahl made 8-of-9 Field Goal attempts, 30-of-33 extra point attempts, and was named First Team All-PAC. Westminster would also receive it’s first 1,000 yard rusher since 2002 as Sophomore Dominic McKinley ran for 1148 on the ground.
Clawson was an All-NEC kicker at Robert Morris after transferring in 2008 from Temple University. Clawson led the team in scoring in 2008 and 2009, while compiling several records including most field goals in a single game (3) and most field goals in a single season(14). Clawson is the only player in NEC History to be named Special Teams Player of the Week for 3 consecutive weeks, in 2009. Prior to the 2010 season, Clawson was named an All-American selection and helped the Colonials to their first ever NEC Championship & NCAA D1 (FCS) Playoff birth.
The Duncansville, Pennsylvania, native finished his RMU career with 139 points in 27 games to rank fifth all time in school history.
