He grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, and attended Chaney High School.

He attended Ashland University where he played football and was the team captain.

[4] Clinkscale was hired in March 2016 as the defensive backs coach for the University of Kentucky Wildcats football team.

[1] Clinkscale was hired in May 2021 as Michigan's defensive backs coach.

[1] On February 14, 2024, Clinkscale was named as the defensive backs coach for the Los Angeles Chargers.