TIMELINE OF THE CLARKSON APPOINTMENT
July 20, 2004: Coach Peter Schwab sacked by Hawthorn, but agrees to coach out the remaining six games of the season
July 26: Schwab steps down as coach two days after the Hawks' 80-point loss to North Melbourne, with Donald McDonald announced as caretaker coach
August 5: Terry Wallace interviewed by Hawthorn's full 10-man board
August 10: Wallace announced as Richmond coach
August 12: Neil Craig announced as Adelaide coach. The Age Journalist Jake Niall writes: "In a coaches' market, fortune favours the decisive. The Hawks, like their team, haven't been quick enough off the mark."
August 14: Herald Sun chief football writer Mike Sheahan is also critical of the Hawks' approach to appointing their coach: "Hawthorn is botching the task of finding a replacement for Peter Schwab, the coach it dumped four weeks ago."
August 16: Rodney Eade announced as Bulldogs coach. Late that night, Eade cancels a scheduled interview with Hawthorn the following morning
August 18: Ayres interviewed by Hawthorn
August 24-27: Hawthorn conducts more first-round interviews, with Clarkson, Hawks caretaker coach Donald McDonald and, reportedly, Sydney Swans assistant John Longmire, St Kilda assistant Matt Rendell, Geelong assistant Daryn Cresswell, West Adelaide SANFL coach Shaun Rehn and Box Hill Hawks coach Andy Collins.
August 29: The Hawks lose their last game of the season to Geelong by 65 points with caretaker coach Donald McDonald at the helm. They finish the season with four wins and 18 losses.
September 6: Clarkson interviews with Hawthorn for the second time
September 8: Clarkson announced as Hawthorn coach