Michael Clay joined the Philadelphia Eagles as the special teams coordinator during the 2021 offseason following a five-year stint (2016-20) as the San Francisco 49ers' assistant special teams coach.
In 2020, Clay helped punter Mitch Wishnowsky record the ninth-most punts inside the 20-yard line (25) in the NFL while finishing in the Top 12 in both net (41.6, 12th) and gross (46.9, 11th) average. Kicker Robbie Gould converted 19-of-23 (82.6 pct.) field goal attempts and earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in Week 12.
Clay assisted special teams units in 2019 that ranked second in the NFL in average starting field position (32.1-yard line) as well as seventh in opponent average starting field position (24.7-yard line). Gould recorded 100-plus points (110) for the third straight season and was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month in December. Additionally, Wishnowsky posted the second-best punting average (44.9) by a 49ers rookie and wide receiver Richie James was seventh in the NFL in punt return average (8.0) and 10th in kickoff return average (21.4).
San Francisco's special teams units flourished in 2018. Gould, who was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month in December and was a two-time NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honoree, established the 49ers single-season record for field goal percentage (97.1 pct.) after connecting on 33-of-34 attempts and totaling 126 points. He also set the franchise record for consecutive field goals made (33) and ended the year making each of his final 23 attempts. James, who registered the team's first kickoff return touchdown (97 yards) since 2011, capped his rookie season with All-NFC accolades from the PFWA after ranking seventh in the NFL in kickoff return average (25.2).
Clay served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach with San Francisco in 2017. He originally joined the 49ers' staff as an assistant special teams coach during the 2016 season.
Prior to San Francisco, Clay spent two years on the Eagles' staff, working as an assistant special teams coach in 2015 and a defensive quality control coach in 2014. In 2015, Philadelphia ranked second in the league in punt return average (11.4) and was one of four teams to produce multiple return touchdowns on special teams. Running back Darren Sproles earned his second career Pro Bowl nod after recording the most punt return yards (446) in the league and tying for the most punt return touchdowns (two).
A native of San Jose, CA, Clay was a four-year letterman as a linebacker at the University of Oregon (2009-12). He earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors as a senior in 2012, starting all 12 games and registering 101 tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble. Clay was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2013.
Clay attended Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose, CA. He played fullback and linebacker and was named a two-time All-Mercury News first-team selection.
