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Sun Belt program fires head coach after first season under.500
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Appalachian State is moving on from head coach Shawn Clark after 5 years, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Clark, who led the Mountaineers to a 10-win season in 2021, is out as head coach after posting a 5-6 season in 2024.
Clark, who played college football at Appalachian State, has been with the Mountaineer program since 2016 when he was hired as the co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. He took over for Eli Drinkwitz after the Mountaineers’ spectacular 13-1 2019 season, winning the New Orleans bowl as Drinkwitz took the Mizzou job.
Unfortunately, Clark never saw the success that Drinkwitz did at App State. He posted the aforementioned 10-win season in 2021, but only entered the AP Poll once in the early weeks of 2020.
Sources: Appalachian State is firing coach Shawn Clark. App State finished this season 5-6 and is 40-24 in six years.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 2, 2024
This past season was a low point for the App State football program in an era where G5 programs now have a chance to truly compete for a CFP title. The Mountaineers finished the year 5-6, losing 4 of their first 5 games against FBS opponents.
Clark did finish the season strong, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to clinch a bowl bid, which led to his firing. Despite finishing 5-6 this season, Clark leaves App State with a 40-24 record.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
