Kirk Clark

Kirk Clark joined Chips as the Director of Pitching following a highly successful coaching and playing career. Most recently, he served as the head baseball coach at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, IA, where he led the Panthers to a historic 31-win season in 2025—the highest win total in program history. During his three-year tenure, Clark coached three All-Americans and consistently maintained academic excellence, with his teams posting a collective GPA above 3.3.

Prior to Ellsworth, Clark was the pitching coach at South Dakota State University. There, he developed standout arms, including second-team All-Summit League honoree Drew Beazley. Under his leadership, the Jackrabbits’ pitching staff recorded 402 strikeouts in 384 innings. Notably, Ryan Bourassa set the program’s single-season strikeout rate record with 13.8 K/9 (65 strikeouts in just 42 1/3 innings).

Clark spent six seasons before that at Wayne State College (Neb.), where he served as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. The Wildcats enjoyed four winning seasons during his tenure, highlighted by a 32-18 campaign in 2019.

Before transitioning to coaching, Clark had an accomplished professional playing career. Signed as a free agent after the 2009 MLB Draft, he made an immediate impact in the Houston Astros organization. In his first full season, he set a single-season saves record (29) with Class A Lexington and earned South Atlantic League All-Star honors. Over four seasons in the Astros system, he compiled a 14-11 record with 56 saves in 150 appearances. He also played for multiple independent league teams, including the Sioux Falls Canaries, Schaumburg Bombers, and Quebec City Capitals.

A native of Moline, Illinois, Clark began his college career at Iowa Western Community College, where he helped lead the Reivers to back-to-back Junior College World Series appearances in 2007 and 2008. He holds the school’s career wins record (19) and was a two-time first-team All-Region selection and Region XI Pitcher of the Year. He completed his collegiate career at Creighton University.

Kirk and his wife, Stephanie, reside in Iowa Falls, IA, with their son, Maddux.

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