Appalachian State and Charlotte are set to kick off a highly anticipated matchup in the Duke’s Mayo Classic, but both teams will be under new leadership by then, as they have appointed fresh head coaches after recent struggles on the field.
On Monday, each university revealed their new coaching choices following a series of changes spurred by lackluster seasons. Dowell Loggains has been named the new head coach for Appalachian State, succeeding Shawn Clark, who was let go after the Mountaineers ended the season with a record of 5-6, marking their first losing campaign since 2013.
Loggains brings extensive experience to the role, having previously served as the offensive coordinator at South Carolina. He steps into a program with an impressive football legacy that boasts three national championships at the FCS level, 22 conference titles, and a string of six consecutive FBS bowl victories from 2015 to 2020. Additionally, Appalachian State is known for a historic upset in 2007 when it defeated then-No. 2 Michigan in an unforgettable game in Ann Arbor.
At 44 years of age, Loggains has a diverse coaching background that includes two seasons at South Carolina and previous experience at Arkansas, his alma mater. He also dedicated 16 years in the NFL, working as both an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for teams including the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets. In his introductory remarks in Boone, North Carolina, Loggains stated, “I promise you this, we’re going to work from dusk until dawn to get this thing right.”
Approximately two hours south, Charlotte was busy introducing their new head coach, Tim Albin. Albin had a successful tenure at Ohio, where he accumulated a record of 32-19 over four seasons and led the team to a MAC Championship game victory with a decisive 38-3 win over Miami of Ohio, bringing their season record to 10-3. Ohio will participate in the Cure Bowl against Jacksonville State, a Conference USA champion, under interim coach Brian Smith.
Replacing Biff Poggi, who was let go following a combined record of 6-16 during his two seasons, the 59-year-old Albin takes the helm at a program that has only produced one winning season since its advancement to the FBS level in 2015. During his address, he emphasized the importance of collaboration in building a championship-caliber program, saying, “In my 30-plus years in coaching, I have learned that building a championship program takes a village. We are off to a hell of a start… There is work to be done here, but I’m confident that with the leadership and the people in place, we can work to make Niner nation proud.”
Overall, both teams are gearing up for a significant transition as they aim to elevate their programs in the coming season amidst their new coaching leadership.
