One of the most intriguing Group of Five jobs is officially open as the Appalachian State Mountaineers have parted ways with head coach Shawn Clark.
Now the Mountaineers will conduct just their second nationwide search for a head coach in the last half century. The job is one of the best in the Group of Five, and there should be plenty of interested candidates. Here are five candidates to replace Clark at Appalachian State.
Replacement Candidates for Shawn Clark at Appalachian State
We speculated throughout the season that Clark could be gone after this year. A culture-builder and “Appalachian State man,” Clark’s tenure started with promise, and his initial hire was met with excitement from players and fans alike.
However, the culture rapidly deteriorated and the team’s record along with it. Clark’s record slipped in two of his final three seasons.
Now, the job is open and the Mountaineers — who have often promoted from within — will likely look outside of the program. That being said, don’t be surprised if the administration looks for a coach who is intimately familiar with Boone and the Mountaineers’ program.
I think this is the best current opening in the Power Four and the Mountaineers should have plenty of interest. Here are five candidates to replace Shawn Clark as head coach at Appalachian State.
Steve Wilks (Charlotte Special Advisor)
An Appalachian State graduate and long-time NFL coach, there are few defensive minds as brilliant as Steve Wilks’. Wilks has improved every team he’s been a part of, and he has the defensive scheme to baffle opponents.
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There are people within Appalachian State’s program who are already pushing for Wilks to become the next head coach. He’s currently a special advisor with the Charlotte 49ers, but the Mountaineers would not need permission to speak with him immediately. If there’s mutual interest, it may not be long before he’s announced as the head coach.
Scott Satterfield (Cincinnati Head Coach)
Would Scott Satterfield take a likely pay cut to return to his roots and the place where he had the most success as a head coach? It’s certainly possible, and I think it’s likely that the Mountaineers talk to him.
The program isn’t overflowing with riches, but there are boosters who could raise the money to pay his Cincinnati Bearcats buyout.
Satterfield was 51-24 in his Appalachian State tenure, including a 47-16 mark after the Mountaineers moved up to the FBS level. Don’t be surprised if he’s interested in returning home.
Garrett Riley (Clemson Offensive Coordinator)
Clemson Tigers offensive coordinator Garrett Riley coached one year in Boone under Eli Drinkwitz in 2019 and parlayed that into a meteoric rise through the coaching ranks. It certainly helps that Riley is still nearby, as he’d be able to hit the ground running on the recruiting trail.
The Mountaineers may lean more to the defensive side of things, given their recent struggles on that side of the ball. That being said, Riley is a strong candidate who could be linked to multiple jobs this fall.
Justin Watts (Duke Tight Ends Coach)
Justin Watts is a familiar name to Mountaineers fans, having been the recruiting coordinator for 10 years in Boone. A long-time recruiting guru, Watts is now the tight ends coach under Manny Diaz with the Duke Blue Devils.
He’s definitely not the first choice, but Watts is an extremely talented on and off-field coach who is intimately familiar with the way things work in Boone. If the Appalachian State administration wants a clean break from the Clark era, though, he won’t be on the list.
Clayton White (South Carolina Defensive Coordinator)
Clayton White recruited some talent to Columbia and turned from the scapegoat to a Broyles Award finalist in just one year. It’s clear now that his 2023 South Carolina Gamecocks defense was the anomaly, as the rest of his defenses have been superb at multiple coaching stops.
Now, White is garnering head coaching attention, and the Gamecocks do not want to lose him. He’s young and has coached at several schools in North Carolina, including at Western Carolina when the Catamounts were Appalachian State’s chief rival.
Other Candidates To Replace Clark
- Charles Huff, Marshall Thundering Herd Head Coach
- Jamey Chadwell, Liberty Flames Head Coach
- Kerwin Bell, Western Carolina Head Coach
- Tre Lamb, East Tennessee State Head Coach
- Shawn Elliott, South Carolina Tight Ends Coach
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