Tragic news struck the world of college football on Monday, Sept. 21, as UCF announced that former Appalachian State Mountaineers head coach Shawn Clark has passed away. The 50-year-old, who had been coaching the offensive line at the University of Central Florida, is being mourned by former players, teammates, and fans.
What Was Shawn Clark’s Legacy at Appalachian State?
Clark, an offensive lineman for Appalachian State from 1994 to 1998, built a significant legacy at his alma mater. He returned to the program as head coach in 2016 following coaching stints at Eastern Kentucky, Purdue, and Kent State. His return to the Mountaineers proved successful, as he guided the team to a 40-24 record and led the program to four bowl games. Under his leadership, the team also won the Sun Belt East title in 2021.
Retire #61 at the Rock. Shawn Clark is a Mountaineers Mountaineer. Praying for his family.
— Gwaltineer 🪠(@Gwaltineer) September 22, 2025
Earlier this month, it was reported that Clark had suffered a medical emergency, and fans had been closely monitoring his condition. He joined the UCF coaching staff before the 2025 season, returning to his roots as an offensive line coach. Now, the entire college football world is mourning his passing.
The response from the community has been immediate and heartfelt. “Retire #61 at the Rock. Shawn Clark is a Mountaineers Mountaineer. Praying for his family,” one fan wrote on social media. Another added, “Not the news we wanted to hear, our thoughts and prayers go out to Shawn Clark and his family as well as all of APP state Nation.”
Many remembered him not just as a coach but as a person. One individual posted, “Shawn Clark was a genuinely great human being, and I’m crushed for his family. The first time I met him, he stood around and talked ball for minutes, having better things to do but never making me feel like he did. God bless his family.”
At the time of this writing, Appalachian State and the Clark family have not released official statements. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
