Clark H. Charlestin was appointed Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Paul Quinn College in 2025, bringing with him a proven record of building championship-caliber programs at the NAIA level. With over a decade of experience in collegiate coaching, Charlestin has established himself as a results-driven leader with a reputation for transforming programs both on and off the field.

Coaching Success

Charlestin owns an impressive 52-14-8 record as a collegiate head coach, with a career winning percentage of over 70%. His ability to develop competitive teams has been recognized at every stop of his career:

Louisiana State University Shreveport (2023–2024) – Guided the women’s program to historic back-to-back seasons, including a #24 national RPI ranking, the best defensive record in the conference, and the highest offensive output in school history. In just two years, he transformed LSUS from a bottom-tier team to a national contender, earning Red River Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (2024) honors and leading the Pilots to the NAIA National Tournament.
Briar Cliff University (2021–2022) – Returned to his alma mater and quickly elevated both the men’s and women’s programs. As Head Women’s Coach and Interim Men’s Coach, he delivered the first conference championship in program history, multiple NAIA National Tournament appearances, and a record-breaking 15-win season. His leadership also helped the men’s program claim its first-ever regular season co-championship.
Previous Roles – Served as Assistant Coach at the University of the Cumberlands, Waldorf University, and Briar Cliff University (Men’s Program), where he consistently recruited and developed talent that reshaped struggling rosters into winning squads. His teams frequently ranked among the nation’s best in scoring, defense, and overall improvement.

Coaching Philosophy

Coach Charlestin emphasizes culture, discipline, and player development, ensuring that his teams excel not only in competition but also in the classroom and community. His programs consistently achieve above a 3.3 team GPA, while also setting fundraising and community engagement benchmarks.

Playing Career

Before coaching, Charlestin was a standout NAIA student-athlete at Midland University and Grand View University (2012–2016), compiling a 63-19-6 career record with a 71% winning percentage. He served as team captain, earned Champion of Character honors, and helped his teams reach multiple NAIA National Tournament appearances, including a quarterfinal run in 2014. In 2015, he also earned a professional trial with Estoril Praia Academy in Portugal’s top division.

Education & Certifications

M.A., Management & Leadership – Briar Cliff University (2019)
B.A., Political Science – Grand View University (2016)
USSF D License & Grassroots Coaching Certification
First Aid/CPR Certified
NAIA Champions of Character: Character-Driven Coaching

Awards & Accolades

2024 Red River Athletic Conference Coach of the Year
2021 Conference Champion – Briar Cliff University
2020–2024 Multiple NAIA National Tournament Appearances
2018 Catholic Youth Organization Coach of the Year
Over 100 collegiate victories across head and assistant coaching roles

Coach Charlestin now embarks on his journey at Paul Quinn College, with a clear vision to establish the men’s soccer program as a force within the NAIA by combining strong recruiting, tactical excellence, and a commitment to holistic student-athlete development.