Joey Aguilar reflects on late App State coach Shawn Clark’s impact on career
By David Wasson
Published:
The road that Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joey Aguilar took to Knoxville was a winding one, but he acknowledged Saturday night that it would not have been possible without the faith shown in him by former Appalachian State coach Shawn Clark.
Clark, who died last week at age 50, recruited Aguilar out of City College of San Francisco and Diablo Valley College before transferring to App State in 2023.
“He gave me the opportunity to get out of JUCO and gave me a shot at App State,” Aguilar said Saturday after Tennessee’s 41-34 overtime victory over Mississippi State.
“This week was really hard on me hearing about Coach Clark. But I appreciate him a lot for allowing me the opportunity and I am just praying for his family. Yeah, Coach Clark means a lot.”
Aguilar shined for the Mountaineers in his 2 seasons, passing for 6,760 yards and 46 touchdowns. He originally transferred to UCLA for the 2025 season, but then re-entered the portal when Nico Iamaleava departed Tennessee for the Bruins.
Clark was in his first season coaching the UCF offensive line when he suddenly fell ill last month.
Joey Aguilar on Shawn Clark’s passing: “He gave me an opportunity to get out of JUCO and gave me a shot at App State.” pic.twitter.com/aDpeDzEAGU
— Mike Wilson (@ByMikeWilson) September 28, 2025
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
