John Harbaugh’s first press conference as the new head coach of the New York Giants is officially in the rearview mirror, and by all accounts, it was a strong opening statement. But now comes the next big question: who’s joining him on the sideline? Harbaugh confirmed that the Giants are beginning their interview process for staff hires, and while much of the picture is still coming into focus, one intriguing name has surfaced-Dave Clawson.
Clawson, a seasoned college football veteran, is reportedly in the mix for a senior offensive assistant role on Harbaugh’s staff, according to multiple sources. While nothing is official yet, the connection makes sense. Clawson has decades of coaching experience, most recently as the head coach at Wake Forest, and he’s no stranger to building offenses or developing talent.
Over 11 seasons at Wake Forest, Clawson compiled a 67-69 record, but the numbers don’t tell the full story. He led the Demon Deacons to six bowl games, turning a traditionally middle-of-the-pack program into a consistent postseason presence.
His final two seasons in Winston-Salem saw a dip-Wake went 4-8 both years-but that doesn’t erase the steady foundation he helped build. His successor, Jake Dickert, took the reins and led the team to a 9-4 mark in his first year, a testament to the structure Clawson left behind.
Before Wake Forest, Clawson had stops at Bowling Green, Richmond, Fordham, and even a brief, rocky stint as offensive coordinator at Tennessee. He’s been around the block, and that experience could be exactly what this young Giants offense needs.
With the college game changing rapidly due to NIL and the transfer portal, Clawson stepped away from the NCAA ranks after the 2024 season. The NFL offers a different kind of challenge-one where roster stability and scheme continuity are more feasible, and perhaps more appealing for a coach like Clawson.
There’s also a homecoming element here. Clawson is a New York native, and his coaching journey began in the Empire State with early-career stops at Albany and Buffalo.
He later returned as the head coach at Fordham after a successful run as Villanova’s offensive coordinator in the late ‘90s. A return to New York-this time on the NFL stage-feels like a natural next step.
If Clawson does join the Giants, he won’t be the first former college head coach to make the leap. The organization has dabbled in this space before.
Joe Judge’s staff included Jeremy Pruitt and Bret Bielema, both of whom brought college head coaching experience to the table. While neither stuck around long-Pruitt hasn’t coached since, and Bielema returned to the college ranks at Illinois-the idea of tapping into that deep well of college experience isn’t new to the franchise.
What’s clear is that Harbaugh is intent on surrounding quarterback Jaxson Dart with as much offensive experience as possible. Todd Monken, another name with deep ties to Harbaugh from their time in Baltimore, is expected to take over as offensive coordinator. If Clawson joins the fold, that would give the Giants two seasoned offensive minds with extensive backgrounds in developing quarterbacks and designing creative offenses.
This is a young Giants offense, and Harbaugh knows he needs voices in the room that can guide, teach, and hold players accountable. Clawson may not bring NFL pedigree, but he brings a wealth of football knowledge, a track record of building programs, and a familiarity with the region that could help him connect with the locker room. If the Giants are betting on experience and leadership to elevate their offense, Clawson could be a smart piece of that puzzle.