The University of Central Florida football team is grieving the loss of their offensive line coach, Shawn Clark, who passed away on Sunday evening, September 21, 2025, at a hospital in the Orlando, Florida area. He was 50 years old.
Clark died unexpectedly, with his wife of 17 years, Jonelle, present. He had been in the hospital since Tuesday, September 9, after experiencing a medical emergency during the Knights’ bye week. The university reported that Clark was stable during his hospital stay and seemed to be on the mend, making his sudden death startling.
UCF head coach Scott Frost released a statement on Monday morning regarding Clark’s influence on those around him. “Shawn was so much more than a coach,” Frost stated. “He was a remarkable man, husband, and father who cared deeply about his players and staff. The reaction of our players and coaches to the news this morning is a testament to Shawn’s character and the impact he had on every life that he touched. He was loved.”
Frost canceled his weekly press conference on Monday to give the team time to mourn. Just days earlier, he had informed reporters that Clark was recovering well and that there had been positive news regarding his health. After UCF’s 34-9 win against North Carolina on Saturday, Frost commended the offensive line’s effort, noting they played passionately because they love Coach Clark and were motivated to support him.
Clark joined the coaching staff at UCF on January 4, 2025, as one of Frost’s first recruits. This move occurred shortly after Clark was released from his role as head coach at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, where he led the team for five seasons. He achieved a 40-24 record from 2019 to 2024, including three bowl wins, a 10-win season in 2021, multiple Sun Belt East Division titles, and two conference championship game appearances.
Clark was dismissed in December 2024 after Appalachian State ended with a 5-6 record, the program’s first losing season since 2013. Before his tenure as head coach, Clark served as Appalachian State’s offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator beginning in 2016. He was elevated to head coach following the 2019 season when the previous coach departed for another position.
During his time at Appalachian State, Clark’s offensive lines were among the top in the country. His units were nominated twice for the Joe Moore Award, ranking among the top-15 nationally. Clark’s coaching career started in 2001 as a graduate assistant at the University of Louisville, where he received a master’s degree in education in 2003. He was the offensive line coach at Eastern Kentucky from 2003 to 2008 before moving on to Purdue and Kent State, eventually returning to Appalachian State.
As a player, Clark excelled at Appalachian State from 1994 to 1998. A native of West Virginia, he earned All-American honors twice and was a three-time all-conference selection. During his playing career, the Mountaineers compiled a 45-16 record. He graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 1998.
UCF Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir expressed the university’s sorrow in a statement, noting their deep sadness over Clark’s death. He mentioned that Clark brought enthusiasm, integrity, and a genuine love for people to his role, and he will be remembered for his contributions to football and the relationships he formed, along with the example he set as a husband and father.
Appalachian State issued a statement on social media on Monday expressing their deep sadness over the passing of their alumnus, former football All-American, and head coach. The college football community shared numerous tributes after learning of Clark’s death. Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield, who played with Clark at Appalachian State and later coached alongside him, described Clark as a friend, teammate, and colleague, as well as a devoted husband and father.
South Carolina tight ends coach Shawn Elliott, who was also a former teammate and coaching colleague, expressed his condolences on social media about his close friend and teammate. ESPN reporter Marty Smith shared an emotional tribute, describing Clark as a dear friend and brother, and as caring, hardworking, and extremely loyal. Current UCF players also shared their grief on social media, with quarterback Tayven Jackson offering his condolences on Instagram, and center Carter Miller writing on X that Clark was an amazing mentor and leader who changed his life forever.
When Frost addressed reporters on Wednesday, September 24, for the first time since Clark’s passing, he reflected on the loss and its implications beyond football. “The best thing you can do is to keep going,” Frost said, acknowledging that working helped him cope, but the emotional toll of recent weeks had been challenging. He emphasized the perspective gained from the situation, noting that football, while important, is not life itself, and events like this highlight the insignificance of winning and losing games in comparison to real life.
Clark had celebrated his wedding anniversary with Jonelle in July, sharing on social media about their 17 years of marriage, six homes, and two children. Earlier in 2025, he had also posted birthday messages for his children, celebrating his daughter Giana’s Sweet 16 and his son Braxton’s 13th birthday. UCF did not disclose the details of Clark’s medical emergency or the specific cause of his death.
Clark is survived by Jonelle and their two children, Giana and Braxton.