The coaching changes are underway in the Sun Belt Conference.
On Monday, Appalachian State announced the firing of Shawn Clark after the former Mountaineer offensive lineman led the team to a 5-6 record this season. Clark, who stepped up from an assistant role in 2019 following Eli Drinkwitz’s departure to Missouri, compiled a 40-24 overall record but was unable to exceed six wins in two of the last three seasons.
“The expectation for App State Football is to consistently compete for a conference championship and secure a spot in the College Football Playoff,” said App State athletic director Doug Gillin in a press release. “We have begun a national search to quickly find the next leader for App State Football. Mountaineer fans are among the most passionate in the nation, and we are dedicated to maintaining a football program that honors our rich championship tradition.”
The Mountaineers began the 2024 season as heavy favorites in the Sun Belt, but suffered lopsided losses to Clemson and South Alabama in September. The season was further impacted by Hurricane Helene, which caused significant flooding in the Boone, N.C. area.
This marked Appalachian State’s first losing season since 2013, during their transition to FBS.
Among the early candidates for the coaching vacancy are East Tennessee State head coach Tre Lamb, SMU offensive coordinator Casey Woods, and Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, as this role is considered one of the premier jobs in the Group of Five conferences.
In another part of the Sun Belt, Southern Miss is still looking for a new head coach after parting ways with Will Hall midway through the season. The Golden Eagles have been rumored to be pursuing Marshall head coach Charles Huff, who recently led his team to the Sun Belt Championship Game with a thrilling double-overtime win against James Madison.
Despite some Marshall fans expressing dissatisfaction with Huff earlier in the season after a 1-2 start, he has consistently denied any deals are in place for a move to Southern Miss.
“The beauty of social media is that anyone can say anything, and if it gets enough traction, it seems true,” Huff explained. “I don’t have any job offers on the table. We got back at 6 a.m. from JMU, and my two-year-old was jumping on me by 8:20, so I really didn’t have time to entertain any job offers.”
THRILLING CLASH
James Madison and Marshall, both in their third season as Sun Belt members, are creating quite a rivalry, with the Herd defeating JMU twice in Harrisonburg, while the Dukes won when they met in Huntington last season.
Last Saturday’s game at Bridgeforth Stadium was unforgettable, as Marshall overcame a 17-0 deficit, tying the game at 24 to force overtime, ultimately securing their first berth in the Sun Belt title game against a JMU team that topped the SBC East for the last two years.
“Last week’s game was phenomenal,” Huff said. “Though I’m new to this league, I’d say it’s one of the most exciting games in conference history, given what was at stake and the determination of both teams. I’m really proud of our players for their resilience and belief, allowing us to compete for what every team strives for at the start of the season—a opportunity to win a championship.”
STARS ON THE RISE
As Marshall prepares to face Louisiana in the conference championship, Ragin’ Cajuns coach Michael Desormeaux is particularly wary of Herd defensive lineman Mike Green, who ranks second in the nation with 16 sacks.
A transfer from Virginia, Green has not only excelled at pressuring the quarterback but has also made 35 solo tackles this season.
“He’s probably the most unique player in the league,” Desormeaux remarked. “He’s big, athletic, and has a variety of moves. His speed is impressive, and he has that signature Euro step. He presents a real challenge—no one has managed to block him successfully one-on-one.”
The Cajuns will take on Marshall on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with the Sun Belt Championship set to air on ESPN.
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