Ryan Clanton - Football Coach - Iowa State University Athletics

Ryan Clanton

Title:
Offensive Line
Email:
rclanton@iastate.edu
Phone:
515-294-6721

Ryan Clanton, who served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at UNI from 2018-22, is in his third season as Iowa State's offensive line coach. In 2024, Clanton added run game coordinator to his duties.

Clanton's offensive line unit helped the Cyclones rush for 25 touchdowns in 2024, the fourth-most in a single season at Iowa State, as the team posted one of the best season's in program history. The team finished 11-3 overall, the first double-digit win season in school history, and went 7-2 in Big 12 play as it advanced to the conference championship game for the second time in 133 seasons.

In two seasons with the program, Clanton's work with the offensive line has helped the Cyclones go from 108.0 rushing yards per game to 160.5 yards in 2024. The Cyclones have allowed just 30 sacks in 27 games during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, inside the nation's top-15 in that time.

Jarrod Hufford capped his six-year career earning All-Big 12 honorable mention accolades in his first season playing center. It was the second such honor in his career, earning it as a left guard in 2023.

Offensive tackle Jalen Travis was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, becoming the first ISU offensive lineman drafted since 2013. Hufford signed a free agent deal with the Las Vegas Raiders after the draft.

His first season saw the Cyclone offensive line unit make gradual improvement throughout the season as ISU finished the season 7-6 overall and 6-3 in Big 12 play, the largest conference win improvement (+5) in Power-5, on its way to playing in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

The Cyclones increased their rushing yards per game from the previous season and ranked 11th nationally in sacks allowed with just 14. Iowa State's scoring offense also improved in Clanton's first season on the coaching staff.

Clanton saw a pair of his offensive linemen picked in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft during his tenure at UNI. Offensive tackle Trevor Penning was a 2022 first round pick by the New Orleans Saints, while right offensive tackle Spencer Brown was a third-round pick by the Buffalo Bills in the 2021 draft.

At UNI, Clanton was elevated to offensive coordinator prior to the 2022 season. In his first season running the offense, UNI averaged 33 points and 444.9 yards per game, increasing both totals from the previous season.

The 2022 Panthers ranked among the nation’s leaders in total offense (16^th), third-down conversion percentage (fourth – 52 percent), passing yards per completion (eighth – 14.8) and tackles for a loss allowed (sixth – 4.1).

In total, Clanton saw his offensive linemen earn eight All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors in his five seasons with the program. Penning was a First-Team All-American in 2021 and Jackson Scott-Brown earned first-team honors from the Walter Camp Foundation in 2019. Jared Penning earned Freshman All-America accolades and was Freshman Player of the Year from Phil Steele in 2021.

The Panthers reached the FCS Playoffs three times in his five seasons, including advancing to the quarterfinals in 2019.

Prior to his time at UNI, Clanton spent four seasons at Ventura College (Calif.) where 19 of his 20 starting offensive linemen earned all-conference accolades. Six of his players earned all-state and four earned All-America accolades. He also served offensive coordinator and running game coordinator during his time, with VC finishing among the leaders in red-zone scoring offense, passing touchdowns, third-down conversion percentage, yards per game and first downs per game.

Clanton, a Bakersfield, California, native, attended City College of San Francisco and played for the Rams in 2008 and 2009, earning Junior College All-America honors on the offensive line. He later played at the University of Oregon where he was a left tackle, left guard and right guard under head coach Chip Kelly.

He spent three seasons in Eugene, redshirting in 2010 as the Ducks reached the 2011 BCS National Championship game. Oregon won the 2012 Rose Bowl and the 2013 Fiesta Bowl. Clanton was a captain on the 2012 team that finished 12-1 overall. Overall, the Ducks posted a 36-4 record during his playing career.

Clanton was invited to NFL training camps with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers.

A product of Bakersfield Christian High School, Clanton earned a bachelor’s degree from Oregon in applied economics, business and society in 2013.

He is married to Erin Clanton.

Coaching Experience
2024 - Iowa State - Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line
2023 - Iowa State - Offensive Line
2022 - UNI - Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
2018-21 - UNI - Offensive Line
2014-17 - Ventura College (Calif.)