Dave Clarke, who resurrected a program that finished just 10-21 in the season prior to his arrival, spent nearly five and a half seasons as the head coach of the Owens men's basketball program before resigning due to family reasons on Dec. 16, 2016.

During his tenure at Owens, Clarke guided the program to a 125-48 record. He led his teams to a pair of OCCAC championships, one Region XII District 11 championship and one NJCAA Final Four appearance. Prior to his departure, 21 of his players signed with four-year schools, including eight NCAA Division I players.

In 2015-16, Clarke was at the helm of a team that finished 18-13 overall and 9-5 in OCCAC play. The team advanced to the Region XII District 11 quarterfinals and produced a pair of four-year signees in Cochran and Dilyn Good (NCAA Division II Walsh University). In addition to that, Cochran and fellow freshman Derrik Jamerson Jr. each garnered All-OCCAC recognition. Jamerson eventually signed with NCAA Division I Norfolk State University after his sophomore season.

In his fourth season, Clarke led Owens to a 25-7 overall record, a 12-2 mark in OCCAC play, the program's second straight OCCAC championship and the program's fourth straight Region XII District 11 championship game appearance. In the team's district semifinal win over Cincinnati State, he recorded his 100th career win at Owens. The team's season ended with a buzzer beating, 80-78 loss to Lakeland in the district finals. During the season, Owens recorded 16 games of 100 or more points and averaged 96.3 points per game. Six student-athletes signed with four-year schools following the season.

In his third season, Clarke led Owens to a 25-6 record and the program's third straight appearance in the district championship game before they fell on a buzzer beater to No. 1 Cincinnati State. Along the way, Owens won its first men's basketball conference championship since the 2001-02 season. Following the season, five players moved on to four-year schools, four earned all-conference honors, two earned All-Region XII honors, and one (Bikramjit Gill) was named a Third Team All-American by the NJCAA. 

In 2012-13, Clarke led the team to a 26-10 record, its first Region XII District 11 tournament championship since 2002-03 and guided the team to a fourth place finish at the NJCAA Division II National Tournament, which was the program's best finish since 1999-2000. For his efforts, Clarke was named the Region XII District 11 Coach of the Year. Following the season, five players moved on to NCAA Division I or NCAA Division II schools.

In his first year with the program, Clarke led Owens to a 14 win improvement from the previous year and was named the OCCAC Coach of the Year. The team went 24-8 overall record and finished second in the OCCAC. They also made their first appearance in the Region XII District 10 championship game since the 2006-07 season.

During Clarke's time with Owens, he has sent 21 players to four-year schools. They include Derrik Jamerson Jr. (2016-17, NCAA D-I Norfolk State University), Xavier Cochran (2015-16, NCAA D-I University of Albany), Dilyn Good (2014-16, NCAA D-II Walsh University), Kenny Jones (2013-15, NCAA D-I Austin Peay State University), John Murry (2013-15, NCAA D-I Austin Peay State University), Pete Firlik (2014-15, NCAA D-II Ferris State University), Justin Edmonds (2011-13, NCAA D-I Marshall University), James Kelly (2011-13, NCAA D-I University of Miami, Fla./Marshall University), Bikramjit Gill (2013-14, NCAA D-I Ball State University), Joe Retic II (2012-13, NCAA D-I Liberty University), Tony Boykins (2012-14, NCAA D-II Gannon University), Andy Bachman (2012-14, NCAA D-II Tiffin University), Markese Allen (2012-14, NCAA D-II Ohio Valley University), Jay Marquette (2011-13, NCAA D-II Lee University), Austin Somerfield (2014-15, NCAA Division II University of West Florida), Jerron Jamerson (2011-12, NAIA Goshen College), DeVondre Peoples (2013-14, NAIA Berea College), Jordan Basinger (2011-12, NAIA Siena Heights University), CJ Bussey (2014-15, NAIA Mount Vernon Nazarene University), Edmond Early Jr. (2013-15, NAIA Indiana Tech University), Franklin Lindsey (2011-13, NAIA Indiana Tech University).

In the seven years prior to becoming the head coach at Owens, Clarke served at five colleges in varying coaching capacities.

He most recently served as an assistant coach at Mott Community College in Flint, Mich., from 2009-11. During his tenure at Mott, he helped lead the program to an overall 59-7 record. In 2008-09, Clarke served as the director of basketball operations at Bowling Green State University. From 2006-08, he was the graduate assistant manager at the University of Toledo, where he helped the team win a Mid American Conference regular season title and capture a school record 14 MAC wins in 2006-07.

Prior to that, Clarke served as an assistant coach at Northwood University in 2005-06, student assistant coach at Ferris State University in 2004-05 and AAU coach for the Grand Rapids Storm from 2003-05.

Clarke played intercollegiate basketball at Ferris State University from 2002-04, where he helped lead the Bulldogs to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season title as a senior. Prior to Ferris State, the Harbor Springs, Mich., native played two seasons at Siena Heights University. Additionally, he is a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organizations.

The Maumee resident holds a bachelor's degree in business education with a minor in physical education from Ferris State University and a master's degree in recreation and leisure studies from the University of Toledo. He and his wife, Megan, have two daughters, Emmy and Olive.