Two weeks ago, Andrew Clawson had an important decision to make.
The Barron Collier High School administration tabbed him to become the interim head coach of the football team following Brannon Tidwell’s resignation.
“I just wanted to step up for the kids and keep some stability in the program as best as possible with the situation,” Clawson said. “Obviously, it was a tough one, but like I said, I’ve known the families and the community, and I wanted to step up and do what was right.”
As head coach of the freshman team for the last five seasons, Clawson was plenty familiar with the players and the families in the football program.
However, with a pregnant wife and 2-year-old child, he had his own family to think about.
“So first I had to clear it with (my wife), and she’s doing an awesome job and she’s behind me 100 percent, which is the most important thing to me,” Clawson said. “ And I just decided it was my time to step up and do what was right to get the kids through this year.”
Tidwell, a 1996 Barron Collier graduate who was hired in February 2025, was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence and refusing DUI testing on Aug. 1. He resigned a day later.
This came after a tumultuous summer in which the FHSAA punished Tidwell with a yearlong suspension from coaching games over recruiting violations.
Clawson was set to have gameday duties while Tidwell served the suspension.
Clawson said the change from managing the team on Friday nights to overseeing every aspect of the program on a daily basis was significant.
“Jumping into the day-to-day stuff is a lot coming in to be the head coach,” he said. “I could see that in the first couple weeks, but taking it a day at a time. Putting one foot in front of the other and just excited for Friday night.”
Clawson was tasked with addressing the team following Tidwell’s resignation.
“I just told them that we needed to come together,” he said. “Obviously, we know it was a tough thing to happen, and I just wanted them to know that I was there for them. The first meeting, I went in and I just said, ‘This wasn’t about me. It’s never been about me. It’s always going to be about the players and the coaches we have already in place.’”
The Cougars have an experienced staff, including former St. John Neumann head coach Rich Crosby running the offense.
“There’s a lot of coaching experience on the staff, so I’m leaning on them,” Clawson said. “Every decision I make, I’m clearing with them. I’m making sure that everyone’s on board, and I’m not afraid to ask for their opinions. Ultimately, at the end of the day, it’s going to be my decisions, but I have full faith and trust in these guys, and they’ve welcomed me and told me they have my back and, more importantly, the players’ backs.”
The Barron Collier players are rising to the occasion as well.
“Through adversity, you’re going to see what people are made of and we’ve seen certain players step and that’s a positive thing to see, especially in a tough situation,” Clawson said.
“Obviously a change for them, but I can see that I’m starting to gain their trust little by little. And I understand that’s going to take some time to get, but they’re buying in a little bit more each day and that’s all I can ask for.”
After dropping their first six games last season against teams that would eventually make the playoffs, the Cougars won their last four games of the season.
The team’s new district, Class 4A-12, includes Aubrey Rogers, Estero, Golden Gate, Gulf Coast and Naples, and the Cougars could certainly be in the mix for the title.
Clawson, who began coaching as an assistant at Palmetto Ridge out of college, has spent the last 11 years in the Barron Collier football program.
His first game leading the varsity team will come on Friday, Aug. 14, as Barron Collier hosts Cooper City in a kickoff classic.
“We’re going to play hard, we’re going to play clean, we’re going to play fast,” Clawson said. “And we’re going to try everything we can to represent our school, represent our community with a positive aspect.”
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: After turmoil, Andrew Clawson answers call to lead Barron Collier football