Dr. Clay Beason is in his 15th season as an assistant coach at Harding in 2014. Beason has been the strength and conditioning coach since coming to Harding in 2000, is in his seventh season as special teams coordinator, and his fifth season as safeties coach.
In 2013, Beason was part of the defensive staff that guided the Bisons to the top spot in the GAC in rushing defense (69.3), scoring defense (20.9), total defense (317.8) and sacks (3.64). That defense helped Harding to a 9-2 record and a 44-3 victory over Texas A&M-Commerce in the 2013 Live United Texarkana Bowl.
In the 2012 season, Beason had three special teams units in the top 30 statistically in Division II and sophomore kicker John Gay (14-of-18 FG, 43-of-43 PAT) earned All-America honors from BeyondSportsNetwork.com. Harding led the GAC and ranked 26th nationally in net punting (36.0 yards per punt), led the GAC and ranked 11th nationally in punt return defense (3.73 yards per return), and ranked 25th nationally in punt returns (13.36 yards per return).
During his coaching career at Harding, Beason has coordinated special teams and been the position coach for running backs, wide receivers, linebackers and safeties.
Prior to coming to Harding, Beason coached defensive backs for two seasons at Bryant High School in Bryant, Ark., after serving as a graduate assistant at Harding in 1997.
He is recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
Beason hosts an overseas summer program in Florence, Italy, for Harding student-athletes called Bison Athletes in Training.
Beason played quarterback and wide receiver for the Mississippi Pride of the Regional Football League in 1999. He played three seasons (1992-95) as a wide receiver at Harding, compiling 68 receptions for 1,062 yards and 7 TD. He played quarterback as a senior, passing for 1,888 yards and 12 TD, earning honorable mention All-America honors.
A three-year letterwinner at Forney High School in Forney, Texas (1989-91), Beason starred as a wide receiver and quarterback.
Beason earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary/special education from Harding in 1997 and received his master’s degree in education administration from Harding in 1998. He earned his Ed. D. in educational leadership from UALR in 2005.
A native of Forney, Texas, Beason is married to the former Loren Kopf of Grenada, Miss. The couple has one daughter, Ann-Clayton.Â
