This is a developing story.

Last updated as of 1:27 p.m. Monday.

Head coach Dowell Loggains opened his weekly press conference with a statement regarding Shawn Clark’s death. 

“Difficult day for the App State family with the loss of coach Shawn Clark,” Loggains said. “We want to extend our deepest sympathies to Jonelle and their family.”

Loggains said when the coaching staff heard the news they called a team meeting to tell the players, many of whom were recruited and spent time playing under Clark. 

“We told the guys what was going on and you could see in their faces what coach meant to these guys,” Loggains said. 

Loggains mentioned Clark impacted many players and coaching staff during his time at App State, and that he and Clark grew close when Loggains took over the coaching position.

“It’s a hard day for us, for the App State family, and we’ll get through it together,” Loggains said.

Monday, 12:09 p.m.

Former App State head football coach Shawn Clark has died at 50.

Clark died Sunday evening unexpectedly, nearly two weeks after being hospitalized Sept. 9 following a medical emergency, according to University of Central Florida Athletics. 

Clark was a two-time All-American and three-time all-conference offensive lineman for the Mountaineers from 1994 to 1998, according to App State Athletics. 

He returned as a co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Mountaineers in 2016. He took over as the head coach for the 2020 season and was “released from his contract” at the end of the 2024 season, according to App State Athletics. He had a career record of 40 wins and 24 losses. 

During his four seasons as head coach, Clark led the Mountaineers to two bowl victories in the 2020 Myrtle Beach Bowl and the 2023 Cure Bowl.