Career
He served as the head coach at Ball State University from 1971 to 1977 and at the University of Wisconsin–Madison from 1978 to 1985, compiling a career college football record of 92–67–6. A native of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, McClain was a 1956 graduate of Upper Sandusky High School and a 1960 graduate of Bowling Green State University, where he played both quarterback and safety. As a basketball player for Upper Sandusky, McClain held the career-scoring record from 1956 through 1982 with 1079 points.
McClain started his coaching career at Crestline High School in Ohio with an 8–1 record and then returned to Bowling Green as a graduate assistant in 1961, where he served as freshmen offensive coach.
He then served as an assistant coach at Cornell University under Tom Harp in 1962. At Miami University under Bo Schembechler, 1963–1966.
At the University of Kansas under Pepper Rodgers, 1967–1968. And at Ohio State University under Woody Hayes in 1969–1970 before accepting the head coaching job at Ball State.
During his seven seasons at Ball State, McClain compiled a 46–25–3 (642) record.
During his tenure, Ball State joined Division I and the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The 1976, team captured the school"s first MAC title in only its second year in the conference. Following his successful run at Ball State, McClain was hired as the head football coach at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he served from 1978 to 1985.
During his tenure he compiled a 46–42–3 (522) record, including a 1–2 record in post-season bowl games.
