Ridgeland also scored a big regular season road win at Sandy Creek. The leaders of the new group will be senior inside linebacker DMarco Jackson and junior inside linebacker Trey Cobb. I think we have three of the top running backs in the conference, Clark said. Nicholas Ross played in all 14 games as a true freshman last season and was a staple in the nickel package. But theyve met only once since the Mountaineers recent jump to FBS a 20-19 Wake Forest win in Boone in 2017 that featured App States largest-ever home crowd. Another addition to the staff includes Courtney Braswell, who was hired after only one year of collegiate experience as defensive quality control coach for Satterfield at Louisville last season. Appalachian State played their home games at Kidd Brewer Stadium on the school's Boone, North Carolina, campus, and competed as a . He will be a great leader for the young men in our program. DeBastiani also added, Im coming home, DeBastiani said. App State defensive coordinator Dale Jones is back for his 24th year on the Mountaineer staff. Still Laying the Foundation of the Program. View history Shawn Clark (born August 16, 1975) is an American football coach who is the head football coach at Appalachian State University. After spending one season as the defensive coordinator at Georgia Military College, Nunn was named as that junior colleges head coach from 1992-99. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. The committee gave no serious consideration to a proposal to keep the clock running after an incomplete pass. Despite throwing 105 more passes, his interception total didnt increase. You want to throw the ball better. I played here. He went 5-for-6 on kicks longer than 40 yards, but 2-for-4 on kicks shorter than 30 yards. They finished the season ranked 19th in the AP and 18th in the Coaches. 1600 Highway 105 in Boone, 2023 - High Country Press. With conference titles in a variety of sports each year since the transition, App State student-athletes pursue daily comprehensive excellence in competition, academics and community involvement. Though only Jolly had multiple interceptions, the teams 14 were top-25 nationally. App State is still the favorite in the Sun Belt, and for good reason. Of his 71 punts, 26 were downed inside the 20-yard line and 12 went longer than 50 yards. He's married with two kids and lives just south of Grand Rapids in Byron Center, MI. But incoming talent is getting better. In a move that mostly affects Divisions II and III, the committee approved the optional use of instant replay in games that do not have a replay official. The outside will have less experience. Kelly is 27-29 through five seasons in Westwood, but is 16-8 the past two years. 1989 Appalachian State. This story is part of a continuing series that serves as an annual offseason assessment of Power 5 and top Group of 5 teams. LOS ANGELES Chip Kelly signed a two-year extension with UCLA that keeps him under contract through 2027. It has done so for decades, after all. Theres a rivalry thats stood the test of time.. UCLA will go into its final season in the Pac-12 with plenty of questions. An Appalachian State spokesman could not confirm or deny Thamel's report. Im excited to get started.. This is where I want to end my career. His official title will be senior analyst, the team announced yesterday. "We're excited to welcome Mark and his wife, Paige, back to Boone," head coach Shawn Clark shared in the release. 2018 Appalachian State (O-Cord/OL Coach) 2017 Appalachian State (O-Cord/OL Coach) 2016 Appalachian State (O-Cord/OL Coach) 10-3. Senior Kaiden Smith has played in 33 games and made 15 tackles in 2019, but most of his work was on special teams. While most schools got little to no spring practice, the Mountaineers started early, as they traditionally do. Taylors seven sacks led the team last year, and his 13 tackles for loss were the second most, earning first-team All-Sun Belt honors. 2013 Carolina Panthers (DB Coach) 12-4 Lost in Div. Our receivers want to have more receptions, and bigger, more explosive plays, said Peterson. 33 in yards per carry allowed (3.73). You cant wait too long to start getting ready for that next season, Petersen said. Williams rushed for 652 yards, 5.8 yards per carry and five touchdowns a year ago, while Harrington averaged 6.4 yards per carry on 50 attempts. With the College Football Playoff expanding from four to 12 teams in 2024-25, and possibly more in the future, conference commissioners had asked the committee to look for ways to cut down on the number of plays in games in an attempt to mitigate potential injury exposures. Special teams: The Mountaineers return both starting kicker Chandler Staton and punter Xavier Subotsch as seniors. Peoples, a bigger back at 6-2, 210 pounds, has averaged 9.4 yards per carry on 20 career attempts, but he tore his ACL early last season. He threw for 2,718 yards last year with 28 touchdowns, earning third-team All-Sun Belt honors. When you look at a defensive anchor, theyve got to be an intimidating presence to quarterbacks.. We had two kids, DMarco and Trey Cobb, start at Will (last year), two guys who have starts, so we feel good at those positions. The Sun Belt should be deeper than a year ago, but the rest of the schedule is manageable. Is Coach Ken Niumatalolo on the Hot Seat? Flucie Stewart and E. C. Duggins have each served twice as head coach of the Mountaineers. Is Coach Ken Niumatalolo on the Hot Seat? | Privacy Policy | Rights & Permissions | Discussion Guidelines, Luke Winkelmann Competes in his First X Games Competition; Appalachian Ski Mtn. Bielaniec, a veteran strength coach, returned to Boone in January of 2020 after leading the strength and conditioning efforts at Marshall for the 2019 season. A specific title has not yet been given to the veteran assistant. Having played offensive guard for the Mountaineers from 1994-98, Clark returned to Boone after coaching stints at Louisville, Eastern Kentucky, Purdue and Kent State. Were looking for a quicker, maybe not as big guy than what they played in there last year, Jones said. Also, with some exceptions, drones will not be allowed over the playing surface or the team area when teams are on the field. A former linebacker at Oklahoma State, Nunn. You could say, Why did you change it at all? Its going to flow better.. Nunns last job at the FBS level came as the defensive ends coach at Tennessee from 1989-90. Hennigan is back as the punt returner. App State football enters 2020 season with third coaching staff in three years "Family is a little different:" App State football parents push to attend home games despite crowd restrictions Vince Fortea, also an App State student on the video team, said that the makeup of the video team helps make it a really cool thing to be a part of. The final member of the staff, defensive line coach Robert Nunn was announced on Feb. 10. With a new coaching staff, the running game will remain the focal point of the offense, from both the running back and quarterback positions. The promotion was first reported by Yahoo Sports by writer Pete Thamel on Jan. 3. The program hasnt lost a step since the move up from FCS, and now the infrastructure is improving. The NFL keeps the clock running on first downs the entire game, and Shaw said keeping the old rule in place the last two minutes of halves represents a beautiful difference between the pro and college games. That success helped him land the head coaching job at Western Carolina in 2012. Its a tremendous opportunity to come back to such a special place with an unbelievable tradition and culture. The 6-2, 295-pound junior Jordon Earle could compete here, but Dawkins and Spurlin could also move inside, as App State might look for more speed than size at the position. Petersen played and coached at App State while at Marshall. 1990 Appalachian State. I think Jalen Virgil has really taken off, Clark said. He previously was managing editor of CoachingSearch.com. He knows what it takes to compete at a championship level.". The school officially announced the hire on. Mike Krysl played for Willie Fritz at Central Missouri, coordinated special teams for him at Georgia Southern, and will now coach special teams again at Tulane. The Mountaineers, finishing first overall in the Sun Belt, were invited to play in the New Orleans Bowl, their second consecutive time taking part in the annual New Orleans, Louisiana bowl game. It was their first winning season since 2014 and they finished runner-up in the conference as things were looking up for the program. I think he is the best quarterback in our conference, Clark said. A running total of the number of coaches of the Mountaineers. Ben Brady (he/him) is a senior journalism major, history minor, from Raleigh, NC. If you had to go in and play a game, hes not quite at Zacs level, but hes right there, and to have two guys like that is awesome.. Offensive line: Like the rest of the offense, this group is very experienced, with four of last years five starters set to return. Kelly has led the Bruins to 17 total wins over the past two seasons. While the season is more than a few months away, we have already seen several of last years coordinators from Appalachian make departures from the program. Obviously there are emotional swings with sports and so the mathematical ratings do not always line up with the emotional expectations from a team. Junior T.D. His completion percentage in 2019 (62.7) and yards per attempt (7.6) were similar to the previous year. Sophomores Nick Hampton and KeSean Brown are the likely starters. 6, 288.0 yards). Speir is now back on the campus he's intimately familiar, as his son played quarterback under Scott Satterfield a handful of years ago, and his youngest son is currently a student. Nearly two months after taking over as the head coach of Appalachian State football, Shawn Clark's first staff at the Sun Belt Conference school is complete.. Monday, App State announced that Robert Nunn has been hired by Clark as part of his defensive staff. Perhaps the consistent winning at the FBS level is finally catching up in recruiting. The Oklahoma native has served as a line coach at that level with the New York Jets (2017-18), Cleveland Browns (2016), New York Giants (2010-16), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009) and Washington Redskins (2003). | Shawn Clarks Record with Appalachian State. This time, athletic director Doug Gillin stayed in the family by promoting Clark, the offensive line coach and former App State All-American. As the Mountaineers move ahead in 2020 with their third head coach in three years, those expectations havent changed, and for good reason. As a Super Bowl-winning assistant coach in the NFL and a head coach in junior college, he is going to bring a wealth of knowledge to our staff and players.. Quarterbacks: Senior Zac Thomas has a 23-1 record in regulation as a starter when he plays more than the first series. As Shawn Clark begins his reign as the new football coach at Appalachian State University, he has started to pick his staff with new additions to the team and filling in positions that are now vacant. App State has established itself as one of the best programs in the Group of 5, and its track record says thats not likely to change. Few teams have out-performed their recruiting rankings better than App State, both within in the conference and nationally. A tough stretch continues in Week 8 with Arkansas State at home. Along with familiarity, Clark has another advantage: App State got in 11 spring practices before COVID-19 shut everything down. 2023 Appalachian State University Athletics, Contracts (Director of Athletics/Head Coaches), Appalachian Sports Network from Learfield, Video Platform powered by CBS Sports Digital, Assistant Head Coach/Passing Game Coordinator/Tight Ends, Defensive Passing Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks, Director of Athletic Performance for Football, Associate Athletics Director for Football Operations, Director of Player Personnel/General Manager, Assistant Director of Football Athletic Performance, Graduate Assistant (Offense/Special Teams), Graduate Assistant (Recruiting & Operations), Assistant Athletics Director for Sport Psychology and Mental Wellness, Academic Services for Student-Athletes Assistant Director / Lead Football Coordinator, Director of Athletics Performance Nutrition, Director of Football Athletic Training Services. That includes senior left guard Ryan Neuzil, senior center Noah Hannon, senior right guard Baer Hunter and sophomore right tackle Cooper Hodges. App State announced the following football staff changes Friday: Defensive line coach Robert Nunn and Director of Athletic Performance Brad Bielaniec are no longer with the program. He led the teams tight ends with eight catches for 75 yards. Those three will be our workhorses. He took over after Jim Mora Jr. was fired in 2017 and had a roster predominantly filled with underclassmen his first two seasons. Still Laying the Foundation of the Program. Monday, App State announced that Robert Nunn has been hired by Clark as part of his defensive staff. Doug has been with FootballScoop for over a decade and currently serves as Director of Content. This is where I started my coaching career under Jerry Moore, side by side with Dale Jones and with Shawn Clark when he played. The Mountaineers won 13 games, finished ranked No. Before that, Braswell served as head coach for Ridgeland High School in his hometown of Rossville, Georgia. Is Coach Rick Stockstill on the Hot Seat? GABY VELASQUEZ/EL PASO TIMES/USA TODAY NETWORK, taking over as the head coach of Appalachian State football. Inside linebackers Jordan Fehr and Anthony Flory were first- and second-team All-Sun Belt performers. Your email address will not be published. 1991 Appalachian State. Ben Brady, Reporter Published: Friday, January 24, 2020 at 2:34 pm. Senior Shemar Jean-Charles and junior Shaun Jolly will man the outside again. All varsity teams compete in the Sun Belt Conference, except for field hockey and wrestling. Our biggest concern looking at it is the lack of experience at outside. To run the offense, Clark hired former East Carolina offensive coordinator Tony Petersen, most recently an analyst at Missouri. Theres no question, in this defense, we want those crazy kinds of guys, said Jones. He was also the defensive tackles coach for the Green Bay Packers (2005-08). He won just 3 games in his first two seasons before going 7-5 in 2014. That will help the program get over the loss of those seniors for 2021. Defensive line: Last year, App State finished No. Thomas also remains a major running threat, rushing for 940 yards and 17 touchdowns over the past two years. I know how to do it the right way. He could stay in that role or find more playing time at safety. I have so much respect for the championship culture at App State and fond memories of bringing my high school teams here for training camp and talking football with guys like Dale Jones, Nate Woody and Bryan Brown., PO Box 152, Boone, NC 28607 Jones left for one season to go with Scott Satterfield to Louisville; but returned for the 2020 season and has served as defensive coordinator since. Hes comfortable teaching our system of play, particularly in the passing game. Obviously there are emotional swings with sports and so the mathematical ratings do not always line up with the emotional expectations from a team. He went 33-68 in his time leading the Catamounts. He coached the inside linebackers and served as co-defensive coordinator in 2018, when an App State team that went 11-2 ranked among the FBS leaders in scoring defense (No. Nunn has spent the last 19 seasons of his coaching career in the NFL. The Bruins were fifth in the nation in total offense, but quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson graduated and running back Zach Charbonnet left early for the NFL draft. After App States historic 2019 season, the football team is looking to a new coaching staff to be even more dominant this year. The 6-foot-3 Sutton, a second-team All-Sun Belt pick and former Kansas State transfer, has 17 touchdowns and has averaged 16.2 yards per catch in two years at App State, but he missed the final three games of 2019 after tearing his ACL. The Mountaineers plan to stick with a three-man front under new defensive coordinator Dale Jones. [2] Scott Satterfield was named as Appalachian's 20th head coach on December 14, 2012. Under Clark, the new tandem of coordinators Tony Petersen and Dale Jones are working to sharpen skills on each side of the field. The football program is on an upward trajectory, both on the field and in the classroom. Fielding its first organized football team in 1928, the Appalachian State Mountaineers have had 22 coaches. The Mountaineers defeated UAB 31-17 to claim their fifth straight bowl win. Jackson made six starts in 2019, while Cobb made eight. Charlie Harbison, last years cornerbacks coach as well as working with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, followed Eli Drinkwitz in his surprise move to the University of Missouri as an associate head coach/defensive coordinator. He previously served as App States defensive coordinator from 2010-12. No matter what happens with the 2020 season, the expectation is another Sun Belt championship and contending for a New Years Six bowl. 828-262-3180. cooperjw@appstate.edu. The two previous seasons before, Braswell was the head coach at Chattanooga Central High School in 2016 and 2017 and led the Purple Pounders to the TSSAA state playoffs twice. The Mountaineers have clearly outperformed those rankings, with at least a share of four consecutive conference titles. Its just the bottom line of getting guys out there when the bullets start coming and seeing how they react, Jones said. The new end zone facility set to open this year also helps. In his debut, the Mountaineers defeated UAB in the New Orleans Bowl. Jan 5, 2020. 0. Nunn served as the teams defensive line coach for the past three seasons. That was the premise of our conversation. 10 nationally in yards per carry last season. Its a program built on player development. Linebackers: Without a doubt, this is App States biggest question mark. I talked to the athletic director and chancellor and told them, listen, this is a dream job for me, Clark said of his interview. After that 2014 campaign, he signed a four-year extension and went on to go 7-4 in 2015, just missing the cut for the FCS playoffs. Our kids were focused on the spring, and we were hitting on all cylinders after practice 11, Clark said. "He was a big part of the record-breaking success during his time on Coach Moore's staff and understands the culture of App State Football. A specific title has not yet been given to the veteran assistant. Ben Brady, ReporterSeptember 11, 2020|390 Views. Evans also joined Stanfords Christian McCaffrey (2015) and ECUs Chris Johnson (2007) as only FBS players this millennium with at least 1,400 rushing yards, five TD receptions and a kickoff return for a score in the same year. The Mountaineers again are scheduled to travel to two P5 teams this season, Wake Forest and Wisconsin. A new starting kick returner is needed with Evans gone. In 2019, Washington cornerback Quinton Dunbar was among the NFLs top interception artists, while in 2018 Rowe helped oversee a defensive backs group that was one of the best in the league in forcing turnovers. I like Henry, Petersen said. We need depth, because we play a ton of 11 personnel, but also 12 personnel and even 13 sometimes.. Subotsch averaged 42.7 yards per punt with a long of 67. Ive always come back to visit Boone in the offseason, and I consider it home. Were very fortunate here on the mountain because its a player-led program. Well always have a downhill running game, a pro-style offense that will stretch the field vertically.. 2021 Appalachian State Season 0-0. Now, after being let go back in April after nine seasons leading the Western Carolina program (FCS) he's returning to App State. With Nunns hiring, all 10 of Clarks on-field assistants have been hired. For me, it was no question, Jones said of his return. This is a complete list of Appalachian State Mountaineers head football coaches. The other would take away the option for a coach to call back-to-back timeouts during the same dead ball period. Despite a mostly new coaching staff, nearly the entire starting offense returns, and the defense and special teams are also populated with senior starters. 2 in the Sun Belt, but the previous three were No. The 2020 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team represented Appalachian State University during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Everybody on the committee was resolute: were not going directly to the NFL rule.. Eli Drinkwitz left for Missouri after one season and one Sun Belt title. In his one season with Central Michigan last year, DeBastiani coached a linebackers unit that contributed to the Chippewas being a top-25 run defense. Running backs: App State ranked No. 828-262-7914. The Mountaineers were led by first-year head coach Shawn Clark. He was a position coach in the NFL for 19 years before returning to the college ranks in 2020. In his first 23 seasons at App State, Jones made player development a staple in his defense, coaching 11 All-American defensive linemen and linebackers, including five players earning the recognition twice. . Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Staton made 11 of 16 field goals last season. The addition of Tennessee running backs coach David Johnson put the finishing touches on. Sloan coached at Appalachian State from 2010-17 and under current Army defensive coordinator from 2013-17. Asked about who could contribute as a freshman, coaches noted they plan to rotate more players on defense. 2019s Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year named MVP of both the Sun Belt Championship Game and New Orleans Bowl, Junior starting running back, Darrynton Evans, ran for a whopping 1480 yards, adding 18 rushing touchdowns and 5 receiving as well. [1] Moore also has the most Southern Conference Coach of the Year awards with seven. Last years backups, seniorTommy Dawkinsand seniorCaleb Spurlinreturn and will be in the rotation for that open end spot. Nazi flag raised outside Temple of the High Country, campus and community respond, Opinion: You cant separate the art and the artist, Boone Barbies light up Ransoms final week, Mountaineers fall to Jaguars in Sun Belt Tournament 68-61, Veteran Mountaineers look to add another SoCon championship, Student organizations hold vigil for victims of police brutality, High Country staple shuts down after 25 years, Newborns to Neers: App States campus 22 years ago, ADPis Macey Barnes crowned Top of the Rock, Cornhole and caramel apples: APPS hosts AppalFest, 122 years of education: University marks history with social, bell ceremony, PHOTO GALLERY: 6,200 students unpack on campus in 2021, Pop Up Boone creator launches virtual wellness program for women, The Student News Site of Appalachian State University, Your email address will not be published. 5. Other reserves include former UCLA transfer Jackson Gibbs and true freshman Navy Shuler, who enrolled early and went through spring practice. App State is also set to open a new end zone building this year and make other renovations to Kidd Brewer Stadium. Three of last years backups were seniors who are now gone, and another backup was Garrison. A former small college football player and college assistant, Samuels now serves as the head coach at Comstock Park HS (MI). Hennigan and receiver Jalen Virgil each had a few returns last year, with Virgil breaking a 57-yard return, App States longest of the season. Welcome to the official website of Appalachian State Football Camps. In a press release from the school earlier this month, Coach Clark added a vote of confidence for DeBastiani, saying Were thrilled to welcome Mark and his family to the App Family. Last year, App State beat two Power 5 teams on the road in North Carolina and South Carolina. Appalachian State announced the hiring Friday. 85 nationally, the best in the school history and only the second in the top 90, though App State's rankings go back to only 2011. Nunn served as the team's defensive line coach for the past three seasons. Staggs had been set to join the Western Kentucky staff as an assistant coach. 19 in the AP poll and found themselves in contention for a New Years Six game. 85 nationally, the best in the school history and only the second in the top 90, though App States rankings go back to only 2011. All four earned some form of All-Sun Belt honors last year. Defensive backs: After replacing both cornerbacks a year ago, both starters return now. From 2000-02 he was the assistant line coach for the Miami Dolphins, then spent the 2004 season as a special assistant coach for that same organization. To see the methodology behind this . (Top photo of Zac Thomas: Mary Holt / Getty Images). Appalachian State Coaching Staff Football Coaches & Staff Appalachian State Shawn Clark's Coaching Tree and History February 15, 2021 THS 85/100 Appalachian State's Last Game: Bowl Week: Did not make a Bowl in 2020 9-3 | Season Record (Win Expectations: 3.6) 10-3 | Shawn Clark's Record with Appalachian State (0.769%) 10-3 Before becoming the head coach at Western Carolina, Mark Spier was an integral part of three FCS national titles and six conference titles on Jerry Moore's staff at Appalachian State. Jacob Cooper. When I took over in December, I told those guys, Were going to be as good as you guys want to be. Its been very rewarding to watch those guys work and take accountability and take charge. (He also lost to Penn State in overtime in his first start in 2018 and lost to Georgia Southern in 2018 when he was knocked out of the game early.) Kelly who is 72-36 as a college coach signed a four-year contract last year. Dont expect another coaching change anytime soon. This may come at a somewhat underrated loss for the recuperating secondary for Appalachian, as senior and all-conference safeties Desmond Franklin and Josh Thomas will no longer be with the team in 2020 after graduating this Spring. Is Coach Philip Montgomery on the Hot Seat? Clark landed his dream job, and he couldnt walk into a better position. Sophomore Brendan Harrington played in 11 games as a true freshman and is also expected to be in the mix. Being an odd front, you dont get a lot of double-teams, which helps us. The next week, they travel to rival Georgia Southern, which has defeated App State in each of the past two years, for another Wednesday game. On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach Dale Jones returned to App State in January after one year working with linebackers at Louisville. Appalachian State is looking for a new outside linebackers coach after a recent departure in its football program. Theyll lead a group that finished No. He previously served as an assistant strength coach at App State prior to the appointment with the Thundering Herd. I think hes one of the top quarterbacks in the country.