Appalachian State has fired head football coach Shawn Clark after five seasons. The Mountaineers went 5-6 this year (3-5 in the Sun Belt), the program’s first losing campaign since its final season at the FCS level in 2013.
“The expectation for App State Football is to compete annually for a conference championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff,” athletics director Doug Gillin said in a statement. “We have begun a national search to quickly find the next leader for App State football.”
Clark, 49, played at Appalachian State from 1994 to 1998 as an offensive lineman. After assistant coaching stints at Louisville, Eastern Kentucky, Purdue and Kent State, he returned to Boone, North Carolina, as the offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator under head coach Scott Satterfield.
During Eli Drinkwitz’s first season, Clark was promoted to assistant head coach in 2019. When Drinkwitz left for Missouri after his lone season at Appalachian State, Clark became the 22nd head coach in program history.
Clark continued the Mountaineers’ success in his first two seasons, compiling a combined record of 19-7 with two bowl bids. His teams also played impressively against Power Five competition.
Appalachian State’s 10-4 season in 2021 included a near upset of Miami. The following season, the Mountaineers lost a thriller at home to North Carolina, 63-61. But they followed that up by stunning No. 6 Texas A&M, 17-14, in College Station. That led to ESPN’s “College GameDay” bringing its show to Boone for the first time.
“I want to thank Shawn for everything he has done for the App State football program,” Gillin said in announcing Clark’s resignation. “Shawn is a true mountaineer. He has given his heart and soul to his alma mater. He has faced countless challenges during his tenure and done so with class and integrity. This was a difficult decision, but after a review of the program we have decided to make the change now.”
The Mountaineers finished 9-5 last season and defeated Miami (OH) in the Cure Bowl. But they were 3-4 before winning five straight games and playing in the Sun Belt championship game.
But after this year’s losing campaign, officials apparently weren’t happy with the direction the program was taking with Clark still under contract for two more years. Appalachian State finished tied for third in the Sun Belt and fourth in the conference’s East Division.
