SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is proud to announce that Clint Killough, a former UIW student-athlete and current associate head coach, has been promoted to the position of UIW head football coach. The announcement was made by UIW President Dr. Thomas M. Evans and Athletic Director Richard Duran on Thursday morning and a press-conference will be held on Monday, Dec. 19, at 10 a.m. to officially introduce Coach Killough.
 
The Cardinals are in the midst of the best season in program history, heading to the FCS Semifinals for the deepest playoff run in the UIW football era. The 2022 Cardinals, with Killough as associate head coach and wide receivers coach, rewrote the record book. The team has two wide receivers currently sitting in the top five in FCS for receiving touchdowns and receiving yards after winning back-to-back Southland Conference Championships.  
 
"We are thrilled to continue building on UIW football's tremendous growth with Coach Killough," said Evans. "Coach Killough has been an invaluable part of our UIW community for years. From his time as a student-athlete through his tenure as associate head coach, Coach Killough has shown his dedication to our Cardinals, our Mission and our great potential for more."
 
Killough, a UIW alum, played for the Cardinals for three seasons (2013-2015) before returning to UIW in 2018 as the quality control coach for the inside receivers. He quickly climbed the coaching ranks as he was elevated to associate head coach/wide receivers coach/recruiting coordinator in January of 2022. Killough has been with the program through all three Southland Conference Championships ('18, '21, '22) and all three FCS Playoff runs.
 
"I'm truly humbled, and am beyond grateful for this incredible opportunity," said Killough. "I want to thank Dr. Evans, John Bury, Richard Duran and the entire UIW Administration for entrusting me with the privilege to lead this program from the front. My experiences at UIW have helped mold me into the man I am today, and I'm proud to represent it on a daily basis. We have built a tremendous foundation of success within this program, and we will continue to elevate on those successes. I look forward to galvanizing our community, and the City of San Antonio behind the UIW Cardinals! San Antonio raised. UIW made!"
 
"I believe at this time in the UIW football journey, we need a leader with a proven UIW track record and a love for this program," said Duran. "We did not have to go far to find that person in Coach Killough. He is San Antonio raised and UIW made. In addition, Coach Killough lives the UIW Mission and embodies our core values. On a personal note, I am proud to say Coach Killough has been here with me for the past five years helping to build the football program he takes over today. Coach Killough is a UIW Cardinal at his core and will lead the student-athletes with the ideals of our founders, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word." 
 
Upon winning the 2021 Southland Conference Championship, the Cardinals defeated Stephen F. Austin to advance to the second round of the FCS Playoffs. Killough mentored a wide receiver core in an offense that threw for 4,680 yards and 48 touchdowns. Robert Ferrel nabbed a first team All-Southland Conference honor, while Trevor Begue, currently playing with the Edmonton Elks (CFL), produced 474 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
 
"Coach Killough has meant the world to me not only as a player but as a man," said Begue. "He has impacted my life greatly on and off the field. Coach Killough was the main reason I came to UIW. I knew I would be playing for a great coach, but I didn't realize I would also get a lifelong mentor out of it. No doubt he is the right man for the job!"
 
Even through the shortened 2021 spring season, the Cardinals achieved their highest ranking in school history (No. 13) while Killough guided the top two wide receivers in Tre Wolf and Ferrel. Ferrel produced 474 receiving yards and six TDs, while Wolf added 467 yards and two touchdowns. Ferrel finished the season with second team all-conference honors.
 
In 2019, Killough coached Kam Williams to become the program's first student-athlete to average 100 receiving yards per game through five games while also adding four touchdowns and 35 receptions.
 
During his first coaching season at UIW, Killough mentored Kody Edwards and Phillip Baptiste to first team All-SLC selections. Baptiste broke the single-season program record for receptions (59), total points (357), and receptions per game (5.36). Edwards set program bests with five 100-yard receiving outings and 1,389 all-purpose yards while breaking the program record for career receiving yards (2,353) and receptions (140). As a program, the 2018 team set multiple records to include total offense (5,315), total points (357) and touchdowns (48) as it finished the season with the first Southland Conference Championship and berth to the FCS Playoffs.
 
Killough began his career in 2017 at Bowling Green State University under Head Coach Mike Jinks. He worked directly under Defensive Coordinator Perry Eliano as the defensive backs/ special teams graduate assistant while also serving as the WRs graduate assistant under coach Seth Doege.
 
Graduating from UIW in 2015, Killough obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance.
 
The Word on Clint Killough
 
G.J. Kinne, Head Football Coach
Texas State University
"Clint has been my right-hand man since I got to UIW. There is nobody that loves UIW more and represents what this great university stands for, more than him. His sharp offensive mind, natural leadership ability, and work ethic will produce tremendous success. UIW is in great hands for years to come."
 
Eric Morris, Head Football Coach
University of North Texas
"UIW hit a home run with this hire. I have a lot of love for Clint and I am so excited to watch him start his head coaching career. He has a great offensive mind and is one of the most competitive people I've been around. I know he will elevate UIW to new heights and bring the best out of those young men."
 
Ephraim Banda, Defensive Coordinator
Utah State (UIW Alumni)
"Richard Duran could not have hired a more passionate, dedicated, Cardinal-loving individual in this profession! As UIW reaches national recognition, Clint Killough is a perfect fit to lead our program to the next level. There is no coach in college football who better understands the institution, program, and people because he is one of us! Go Cards!"
 
Perry Eliano, Safeties Coach
Ohio State
"Clint is one of the brightest young stars in college football. His energy, passion, and work ethic are second to none. A tireless recruiter who understands it's about bringing the right type of young men to continue the championship success at UIW. He's a phenomenal human being that will bring young men together for a common goal to be the very best versions of themselves daily. UIW has a winner!"
 
Mike Jinks, Assistant Head Coach – Running Backs
University of Houston
"I knew very early in Clint's career that he was destined for greatness. San Antonio is getting a homegrown start. He will be a tremendous leader for UIW football and the University of the Incarnate Word."
 
Ron Rittimann, Athletic Director & Head Coach
Alamo Heights High School
"What a tremendous hire for the UIW Football Program. I have admired Clint as a competitor and leader for a long time. Coach Killough has strong ties within San Antonio and will continue the success and trajectory the program is currently on. I look forward to watching him assemble a great staff and build strong relationships within the community and boosters."
 
FOLLOW ALONG
 
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