The national search for a new head football coach at App State concluded on Thursday morning with the announcement that North Carolina State offensive coordinator Eliah Drinkwitz has been hired to replace Scott Satterfield, who announced his departure for the University of Louisville last week.
Drinkwitz, who led the Wolfpack offense for three years, had his five-year contract approved by Chancellor Sheri Everts and the Appalachian State Board of Trustees on Thursday and will be introduced as the Mountaineers 21st head coach at the Mark E. Ricks Athletics Complex on Monday, Dec. 17, according to a release from App State Athletics.
“I’m excited to welcome Eliah and his family to App Nation,” App State Director of Athletics Doug Gillin said in the release. “Eliah is committed to excellence academically, competitively, socially and to the well-being of our student-athletes.”
Drinkwitz has a championship pedigree, starting with being a quality control assistant for the Cam Newton-led Auburn Tigers when they won the NCAA championship in 2010. From there, he won two Sun Belt championships as running backs coach and co-offensive coordinator at Arkansas State before winning a Mountain West conference championship as tight ends coach with ‘Group of Five’ powerhouse Boise State, encouraging the Broncos to name him their offensive coordinator.
At NC State, he helped the Wolfpack achieve back-to-back nine-win seasons for the first time in almost 30 years in 2017 and 2018, averaging over 35 points per game this season. Since Drinkwitz’s arrival in 2016, NC State’s total offense ranking has risen nearly 50 spots to no. 16 in the nation for 2018.
“My family and I are excited to embrace and build upon the proud tradition of Appalachian State football,” Drinkwitz said. “I am thankful to the Board of Trustees, Chancellor Everts, Doug Gillin and the entire App Nation for the opportunity to be the head coach at this great university.”
Several of Drinkwitz’s former employers and competitors also made comments about his hiring, including current head football coach at Auburn University, Gus Malzahn.
“Appalachian State is not only getting a great coach, but an even better person,” Malzahn said via press release. “Eliah has a true gift to get the most out of his players on and off the field and will lead his team with great character and integrity.”
While he has no prior head coaching experience, his peers and his new boss seem to have great confidence in him.
“Eliah has great character and a clear vision for the future of Mountaineer football,” Gillin said. “I’m excited about the future of our football program.”
Story By: Brooks Maynard, Sports Editor
Photo By: Courtesy of App State Athletics