App State hires Dowell Loggains as new coach

Field Level Media|published: Sat 7th December, 23:57 2024

New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains on the sideline before the Las Vegas Raiders score a touchdown with five seconds left in the game. The Jets lose to the Raiders, 31-28, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in East Rutherford. Nyj Vs Lv

Dowell Loggains has been hired as Appalachian State's next football coach, athletic director Doug Gillin announced Saturday.

Loggains was inked to a five-year deal that runs through the 2029 campaign. He is the 23rd coach in program history.

App State will formally introduce him on Monday.

"We are very excited for Dowell Loggains to be the next leader of App State football and to welcome him, his wife, Beth, and their children, Reese, Aven, Connor and Ryne, to the App family," Gillin said in a news release. "He brings experience as a leader and play-caller at the highest levels of professional and college football. He is a great recruiter and believes strongly in building relationships. He is aligned with our core values of academic integrity, competitive excellence, social responsibility and world-class experience.

"This is a great day for App State."

The 44-year-old Loggains has experience in the NFL and at the collegiate level, most recently serving as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at South Carolina from in 2023 and '24. Before that, he was at Arkansas, his alma mater, in 2021 and '22 as the tight ends coach following a lengthy run in the professional ranks.

Loggains held multiple positions on the Tennessee Titans' staff at the beginning of his coaching career (2008-13), then spent time with the Cleveland Browns (2014), Chicago Bears (2015-17), Miami Dolphins (2018) and New York Jets (2019-20).

"My family and I are thrilled to join the Mountaineer family and build on the rich championship tradition of App State football," Loggains said in a news release. "Thank you to the board of trustees, chancellor (Heather) Norris, Doug Gillin and all of App Nation for this incredible opportunity to lead such a storied program.

"We are eager to become part of the community, engage with the student-athletes and fans and give our all for App State."

The Mountaineers went 5-6 this season under Shawn Clark, who was fired on Monday.

--Field Level Media