Mike Clowney was named Carson-Newman's 19th head football coach on Jan.8, 2020.  He is in his fourth year at the helm of the Carson-Newman football program. Prior to taking over as head coach, he spent 15 years with the program as an assistant coach.

In his third stint as an assistant (98-99, 04-05 and 09-19), Clowney coached running backs for four years after being the program's defensive coordinator for six years. 

Clowney helped engineer one of the greatest turnarounds in Carson-Newman history, C-N's five-win improvement from 2021 to 2022 registers as the third-greatest win improvement in program history.  Along the way, he tutored his first All-American as head coach in 2022. Wide receiver Braxton Westfield became the program's first All-American wideout in 44 years before signing as a free agent with the Indianapolis Colts.

In three years as head coach, Clowney has coached 16 All-SAC honorees, nine CSC Academic All-District selections, two all-region choices, a SAC Freshman of the Year, a Harlon Hill Trophy candidate and one All-American.

In the summer of 2022, he was nominated to be the honorary head coach for the AFCA Good Works Team.  

He was instrumental in the development of Antonio Wimbush into the program's third all-time leading rusher.  Wimbush was named the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year in 2018, also earning All-America honors that year.  

Clowney's first season as running backs coach in 2016 saw him tutor Antonio Wimbush to first team All-South Atlantic Conference accolades.  He helped transform Jared Dillingham into an all-league running back in year two. 

In the summer of 2015, Clowney was inducted into the South Atlantic Conference's Hall of Fame for his efforts on the field during his playing career at C-N. 

The 2014 season saw safety Jerry Miclisse and defensive end William Alderman earn all-conference honors from the SAC while Miclisse earned all-region honors.  

In 2013, Clowney saw Eien Jacob and Jaycob Coleman earn All-American honors at corner and linebacker, respectively.  The Eagle defense caused plenty of chaos forcing 32 takeaways to finish seventh in the nation.  

Clowney oversaw and Eagle unit in 2012 that was in the top five in the SAC in scoring, pass, rush and total defense.  

The Eagles frequently caused havoc, forcing five turnovers in a September game against Lenoir-Rhyne.  C-N recovered 11 fumbles and picked off four passes.  

With Clowney's help, defensive tackle Deshon Collins earned first team all-conference honors while defensive backs Issac Kinley and Oliver Davis wound up on the SAC's second team.  

The Carson-Newman defense finished 2011 ranked No. 2 in total defense in the SAC, No. 2 in pass defense, No. 2 in rushing defense and No. 2 in scoring defense. Last year’s Eagles were the No. 37-ranked total defense in NCAA Division II and the No. 24 pass defense.

Four Carson-Newman defensive players took home All-SAC honors at the end of the 2011 season. Senior defensive end Zeke Andrews and linebacker Larry Lumpkin received first team recognition, with returning junior cornerbacks Oliver Davis and Tarvin Jones garnering second team nods.

Clowney was one of the best linebackers in Carson-Newman history and still holds the single-game tackles record, set in 1996 with 23 against Wingate. Clowney led the team with 153 tackles that season, the third highest total in Eagles football history.

Clowney was recognized as a first team All-American in 1996 be the Associated Press and several other organizations. He was the South Atlantic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, C-N Male Athlete of the Year and was the cornerstone of the defense that led the Eagles to their first NCAA Division II National Championship game appearance.

Before rejoining Carson-Newman in 2009, Clowney spent three seasons as head football coach and athletic director of Emerald High School in Greenwood, S.C. From 1999-2003 Clowney was Greenwood’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, helping the team win back-to-back state championships in 1999-2000.

Clowney received his master’s degree in 1999 after three seasons as a graduate assistant at Carson-Newman.

Clowney and his wife, Carrie, reside in Jefferson City with their son Preston.