A veteran coach at the NCAA FBS level, Bob McClain returns for his second stint as the offensive line/run-game coordinator at California (PA) in 2022.
McClain initially served in the role with the Vulcans during the 2015 season and most recently spent three years on the coaching staff at Illinois in the Big Ten Conference. He has served over a decade at the FBS level at four different schools, plus has a combined eight years of experience at the FCS and NCAA Division II levels.
While with the Fighting Illini, McClain was the offensive line coach for two seasons after joining the staff as an offensive analyst in 2018. Illinois ranked third in the conference in rushing offense in 2020 while featuring First-Team All-Big Ten offensive lineman Kendrick Green, who was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. This spring, the tandem of Illinois offensive lineman Doug Kramer and Vederian Lowe were chosen in the 2022 NFL Draft after previously being coached by McClain.
McClain helped the Fighting Illini, under veteran NFL head coach Lovie Smith, secure their first bowl appearance in five years by playing in the 2019 Redbox Bowl. That season, Illinoi posted a 24-23 upset victory over then-No. 6 Wisconsin before becoming bowl eligible by erasing a 21-point, fourth-quarter deficit with a 37-34 victory at Michigan State. The Fighting Illini boasted a trio of All-Big Ten offensive linemen in both 2019 and 2020 under McClain.
In 2015, McClain was a member of the Cal coaching staff under former head coach Mike Kellar (2012-15). The Vulcans finished the year with an 8-3 overall record and narrowly missed receiving a berth to the NCAA Playoffs. McClain mentored an offensive line that featured four All-PSAC West selections, including future Rimington Award recipient Taylor Nikithser. Additionally, first-year starter John Franklin III tied for second in the league with 17 rushing touchdowns, which was the most by a player in nearly a decade.
McClain then reunited with Kellar as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Lenoir-Rhyne in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC). While with the Bears, he coached two-time All-SAC running back Nelson Brown and All-SAC offensive lineman Jalen Soto. Brown totaled nearly 2,000 rushing yards at Lenoir-Rhyne before being a two-time All-PSAC West selection for the Vulcans from 2018-19.
A native of West Virginia, McClain previously worked at Appalachian State during the 2010-11 seasons. The Mountaineers tied for first place in the Southern Conference both years and qualified for the FCS Playoffs each season, advancing to the quarterfinals in 2010. Appalachian State featured four offensive linemen selected to the All-SoCon Teams in his first year with the program, as senior Daniel Kilgore received first-team laurels before playing nearly 100 games in his NFL career.
McClain started his coaching career at WVU from 2000-05 under then-head coach Rich Rodriguez. The Mountaineers won the Big East Championship and Sugar Bowl in 2005 while finishing with an 11-1 record. WVU led the Big East in rushing offense for four-consecutive years, ranking as high as second in the nation in 2002, and appeared in four-straight bowl games (2002-05) during his tenure. McClain worked with 10 All-Big East selections while with the Mountaineers, including future Rimington Award winner and consensus All-American Dan Mozes.
Following his time at WVU, McClain served two seasons as an assistant coach at Glenville State before reuniting with Rodriguez at Michigan as an offensive quality control coach in 2008. The following year, he was the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator at Tulsa under then-head coach Todd Graham, who was the defensive coordinator for two seasons at WVU under Rodriguez.
McClain earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Waynesburg in 1996 before completing three master’s degrees from WVU.
