Press release from BGSU sports information:
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- Bowling Green State University Director of Athletics, D. Christopher Kingston, has announced the appointment of Adam Scheier as Interim Head Football Coach. The decision comes after Dave Clawson agreed to become the head football coach at Wake Forest University Tuesday. Scheier will lead the Falcons in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl on Dec. 26.
"I am extremely pleased that Adam has agreed to lead Falcon Football as we prepare for the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl," Kingston stated. "Adam is focused on our upcoming bowl and I have great confidence in his abilities to finish what has been such a special season. I want to publicly thank Dave Clawson for all that he has done for BGSU and for developing such great young men in the classroom, on the field and in the community. We wish the best for the Clawson family."
Scheier is in his fifth season at Bowling Green, previously serving as the special teams coordinator while overseeing the tight ends. Scheier's special teams units have been among the best in the Mid-American Conference during the past five seasons.
His special teams unit has been one of the most aggressive and innovative in the MAC, blocking 16 kicks, returning three kicks and four punts for touchdowns, while executing several fake punts to perfection. Scheier has produced six all-MAC special teams performers; punter Brian Wright (2010 second team), punt returner Eugene Cooper (2010 second team), kick returner BooBoo Gates (2011 second team), punter Brian Schmiedebusch (2011 first team and 2012 second team) and punt returner Ryan Burbrink (2013 second team).
His tight ends have become one of the most dynamic aspects of the Falcon offense over the past several years, proving valuable in the run and pass game. Tight end Alex Bayer, a third team all-MAC performer, is second on the team with 34 receptions. All three tight ends, including Tyler Beck and Chris Pohlman, are used in all aspects of the Falcon offense. The trio has combined for 48 catches and six touchdowns this season. Scheier has produced all-MAC tight ends on three occasions, with Jimmy Scheidler (2009 second team) and Alex Bayer (2012 second team and 2013 third team) both being recognized during his tenure.
"I am honored to serve as Bowling Green's interim head coach," Scheier said. "The opportunity to lead this group of young men as we put the finishing touches on this special season is both humbling and exciting. This team and in particular, this group of seniors, has established a championship culture here at BG and I am confident that we will represent BGSU and the MAC well at the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl."
Clawson departs Bowling Green after five seasons as the head coach. He compiled a 32-31 record at BGSU and led the Falcons to three bowl appearances in five seasons. Clawson also brought Bowling Green their first MAC Championship since 1992, when the Falcons defeated Northern Illinois 47-27 Friday night at Ford Field.
In his first season at Bowling Green, Clawson led the Falcons to a berth in the Humanitarian Bowl with a 7-6 record. Clawson saw his quarterback, Tyler Sheehan, set a school-record with 4,051 yards passing. Sheehan's main target, Freddie Barnes, set an NCAA record with 155 receptions in 2009.
Going into 2010, Clawson and his staff knew they had an arduous rebuilding task. The Falcons went just 7-17 over the next two years, but the foundation was in place for sustained success. In 2012, Bowling Green went 8-5, advancing to the Military Bowl.
Clawson and the Falcons found more success in 2013, validating the rebuilding process. Bowling Green began the season 5-1, with wins over Tulsa and Kent State, who had each won 10-plus games in 2012. But, after two midseason losses by a combined four points, the Falcons had their backs against the wall. Bowling Green would respond, winning the final four games to win the MAC East Division and advance to the MAC Championship Game. In the championship game the Falcons would defeat previously unbeaten and 14th-ranked Northern Illinois to bring the MAC Championship back to BGSU for the first time in 21 years.
Clawson coached 2012 MAC Defensive Player of the Year Chris Jones, who was drafted in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. Twenty Falcons were named all-MAC during Clawson's final two seasons, while the team compiled an 18-8 record during those two campaigns.
With a chance for their 11th win on Dec. 26 at the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, Bowling Green could register a three-win improvement for the third consecutive season, the only school in the FBS that can claim that feat.
The Falcons and interim coach Adam Scheier will head to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl to face Pittsburgh. Bowling Green (10-3) was 3-1 over teams that accepted bowl invitations in 2013, outscoring those opponents 140-55. The Falcons enter the game as one of the nation's hottest teams, having won five consecutive contests.
Kingston has announced that a national search for Bowling Green's next head coach will begin immediately.
