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Tom Clements
Quarterbacks
11th season as NFL coach
Second season with Packers
Tom Clements, entering his 15th season in the coaching profession, is in his second year as Green Bay's quarterbacks coach.
Now in his 11th overall NFL season, Clements was named to his position Jan. 29, 2006, by Head Coach Mike McCarthy. Familiar with the role, Clements also served as quarterbacks coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2001-03), Kansas City Chiefs (2000) and New Orleans Saints (1997-99).
Last year, Clements' work with the Packers quarterbacks included helping Brett Favre reduce his interceptions from a career-high 29 the year before to just 18, continuing the development of 2005 first-round draft pick Aaron Rodgers, and helping tutor rookie fifth-round choice Ingle Martin, who showed through practice and scout team reps that he was adjusting well to the speed of the pro game.
Before coming to Green Bay, Clements spent two seasons (2004-05) as offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills. In 2004, the Bills' offense increased its points output by 152 and become only the ninth team in NFL history to score more than 30 points in six straight games. With the emergence of first-year starter Willis McGahee, the team also increased its rushing yardage by 210. In addition, Buffalo reduced its number of sacks allowed from 51 to 38, fewest by a Bills team since 1999. After an 0-4 start, the Bills became one of the hottest teams in the NFL, winning nine of their last 12 and contending for a Wild Card playoff spot until the final week of the season.
On an individual level, Clements' offense was highlighted by McGahee, who in 2005 posted a career-high 1,247 yards on 325 attempts and became the fifth running back in Bills history to register back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, covering each year of Clements' tenure. The previous season, McGahee finished with 1,128 yards and 13 touchdowns, eclipsing the 100-yard mark seven times. In addition, quarterback Kelly Holcomb set a club record in 2005 with a 67.39 completion percentage, surpassing Jim Kelly's 1991 mark, 64.14 percent.
Prior to joining the Bills, Clements served as Pittsburgh's quarterbacks coach for three seasons (2001-03) under Bill Cowher. In his second season with the Steelers, 2002, he helped Tommy Maddox earn the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year award, as Pittsburgh's passing offense ranked seventh in the NFL, its highest finish since 1980 with Terry Bradshaw under center. In 2001, Clements worked with Kordell Stewart during the quarterback's best season, which culminated in his first Pro Bowl berth.
Before joining the Steelers, Clements coached quarterbacks for the Kansas City Chiefs (2000) under Gunther Cunningham. One of Clements' pupils, Elvis Grbac, turned in his best season and earned Pro Bowl honors.
Mike Ditka gave Clements his first NFL coaching job, hiring him to coach the Saints' quarterbacks. During his three years in New Orleans (1997-99), Clements worked with several quarterbacks, including Jake Delhomme and Kerry Collins.
Prior to his post with the Saints, Clements served under Lou Holtz as quarterbacks coach (1992-94) and wide receivers/assistant head coach (1995) at his alma mater, Notre Dame. While with the Fighting Irish, Clements coached eventual 1993 NFL Rookie of the Year Rick Mirer, and Derrick Mayes, the Packers' second-round draft pick in 1996. In addition, he tutored Ron Powlus, then Notre Dame's career passing leader in attempts, completions, yardage and touchdowns at the time of his graduation.
Inducted into the Canadian Football League's Hall of Fame in 1994, Clements played for Ottawa (1975-78), Saskatchewan/Hamilton (1979), Hamilton (1981-82) and Winnipeg (1983-87) during a 12-year career in the CFL. Selected seven times as a divisional All-Star, Clements guided two teams, Ottawa (1976) and Winnipeg (1984), to Grey Cup Championships, earning the Outstanding Offensive Player award in each game. The league's Rookie of the Year in 1975 and Most Valuable Player in 1987, Clements completed 2,807 of 4,657 CFL passes (60.3 percent) for 39,041 yards and 252 touchdowns.
Clements also spent one season, 1980, as a quarterback for Marv Levy's Kansas City Chiefs.
A three-year starter at Notre Dame (1972-74) under Ara Parseghian, Clements led the Irish to a 29-5 record, including an unblemished National Championship season in 1973. An All-American in 1974, he finished fourth in Heisman Trophy balloting when Archie Griffin earned the award. Clements received his degree in economics from Notre Dame in 1975.
A licensed attorney, Clements worked from 1988-92 for Bell, Boyd & Lloyd, a Chicago-based law firm, and in 1996 worked in the law department of Republic Industries, Inc., a public company controlled by Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga. He pursued his law degree during his CFL playing career, graduating magna cum laude from Notre Dame's School of Law in 1986. In 1994, while on the Notre Dame coaching staff, Clements was an Adjunct Associate Professor of Law at the university's law school, where he taught "Sports and the Law."
Born in McKees Rocks, Pa., Clements and his wife, Kathe, live in Green Bay. The couple has two grown children: daughter, Stevie (28), and son, Tom (25).
CLEMENTS AT A GLANCE
Joined Packers Jan. 29, 2006.
Possesses 14 years of coaching experience, including two seasons as an NFL offensive coordinator.
Prior to Green Bay, spent 10 seasons coaching quarterbacks under some of the game's best coaches, including Bill Cowher, Mike Ditka and Lou Holtz.
Played 12 years in the Canadian Football League and was a seven-time divisional all-star and two-time Grey Cup champion; was inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame in 1994.
An All-American at Notre Dame in 1974, he finished fourth in Heisman Trophy balloting that year.
Practiced law for five years before beginning coaching career.
COACHING BACKGROUND:
1992-94 Notre Dame Quarterbacks
1995 Notre Dame Wide Receivers/Assistant Head Coach
1997-99 New Orelans Saints Quarterbacks
2000 Kansas City Chiefs Quarterbacks
2001-03 Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterbacks
2004-05 Buffalo Bills Offensive Coordinator
2006-07 Green Bay Packers Quarterbacks
