Clay Bignell
Defensive Coordinator, Southern Mississippi

AGE: 33
HOMETOWN: Helena, Montana
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s, Montana State (2011), Master’s, Northwestern (2016)

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2023 Eastern Illinois Turnaround

Wins

2023: 8
2022: 2

3rd Down Conversion %

2023: 38% (46th in Nation)
2022: 43 (89th in Nation)

4th Down Conversion %

2023: 41% (16th in Nation)
2022: 73% (119th in Nation)

First Down Defense

2023: 213 (69th in Nation)
2022: 236 (74th in Nation)

Fumbles Recovered

2023: 11 (8th in Nation)
2022: 7 (60th in Nation)

Passes Intercepted

2023: 14 (8th in Nation)
2022: 13 (19th in Nation)

Passing Yards Allowed

2023: 217.1 (70th in Nation)
2022: 253.9 (100th in Nation)

Team Sacks

2023: 2.09 / 23 (51st in Nation)
2022: 1.36 / 16 (106th in Nation)

Turnover Gained

2023: 25 (2nd in Nation)
2022: 20 (41st in Nation)
Stats
  • Played football at Montana State University
  • Was a 2x All-Big Sky Conference selection at linebacker
  • Helped Montana State win two Big Sky Championships
 (2010, 2011)
  • Helped Montana State reach the FCS playoffs (2010, 2011)
  • Bachelor’s degree from Montana State University (2011
)
  • Master’s degree from Northwestern (2016)
  • Native of Helena, Montana
  • Coached on Notre Dame staff in three bowl games
  • Camping World Bowl (2019)
  • Cotton Bowl (2018)
  • Citrus Bowl (2017)
  • Notre Dame posted a 12-1 record playing in College Football Playoff semifinal (2018)
Experience
  • 2024 – Present: Southern Mississippi (Defensive Coordinator)
  • 2023: Eastern Illinois (Defensive Coordinator)
  • 2022: Eastern Illinois (Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/Safeties)
  • 2021: Vanderbilt (Senior Defensive Analyst/Outside Linebackers)
  • 2020: East Carolina (Senior Defensive Analyst/Linebackers)
  • 2018 – 2019: Notre Dame (Senior Defensive Analyst)
  • 2016 – 2017: Notre Dame (Graduate Assistant/Outside Linebackers/Rovers/Defensive Backs)
  • 2014 – 2015: Northwestern (Graduate Assistant/Defensive Line)
  • 2013 – 2014: Montana State (Graduate Assistant/Linebackers)
  • 2012: Montana Western (Linebackers)