UCF offensive line coach Shawn Clark has passed away at 50, as detailed in the press release by UCF football. The news prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes across the college football community. Shawn Clark was a beloved figure at Appalachian State and then more recently, in Orlando. Clark was widely regarded as a principled teacher of the game as well as a great offensive mind. But off the sidelines, he was remembered as a warm, happy person who’d never not smile.

The release noted that, “Coach Clark, 50, passed away Sunday evening at a local hospital unexpectedly, with his wife, Jonelle, by his side. He was admitted on Tuesday, Sept. 9, after experiencing a medical emergency and remained in stable condition before passing away last night.” The news of Clark’s passing comes days after he went through a major medical emergency. Although the situation remains undisclosed, it was widely described as a significant stroke that led to his hospitalization two weeks ago. But after receiving appropriate care, his condition was described as stable. 

Before joining UCF, Clark’s name was synonymous with Appalachian State. It still is. He joined App State first as an all-conference offensive lineman and then as a head coach. During his time in Boone, he produced big wins and bowl memories and garnered a reputation for producing tough and cohesive offensive lines. He took that reputation with him when he joined UCF, where he was credited with uplifting the standards at the trenches and building chemistry.

Clark was a figure who had a deep impact on the people he was surrounded by. He was loved by players, staff, and every person breathing in App State. As the news of his passing moved around, the wave of public mourning was immediate and heartfelt. Social media was flooded with #AppNation and #61Forever, and fans called him someone who ‘bled black and gold.’ In Orlando, the signs of the loss were evident as UCF’s routine media availability was immediately cancelled to give colleagues and players the time and space to process the news.

In moments like this, the game steps aside to honor the person. Tributes will continue to pour in as the community awaits official information on the arrangements and plans for the celebration of Clark’s life. His legacy will endure in the linemen he molded, the careers he shaped, and the lives he touched. May his family find comfort amid this tough time. Heaven just got a heck of a coach on their side.

Scott Frost’s reaction to Clark’s passing.

UCF described the program as deeply saddened by the passing of Shawn Clark and emphasized the impact he had on the program and the people around him. But Scott Frost, being one of the people who had the luxury of spending time with Clark the most, was bathed in grief. He said, “Shawn was so much more than a coach. He was a remarkable man, husband, and father who cared deeply about his players and staff,” while adding that the news has devastated the players and coaches and their reaction is a “testament to Shawn’s character and the impact he had on every life that he touched.” 

Shawn had a 40–24 record over five seasons as Appalachian State’s head coach with a 10‑win 2021 campaign and three bowl victories, plus earlier stints developing elite offensive lines at App State, Purdue, Kent State, and Eastern Kentucky. As a player, he was a two‑time All‑American and three‑time all‑conference selection at App State. UCF vice president and director of athletics Terry Mohajir also praised Clark’s passion, integrity, and love for the game. “We are heartbroken by Shawn’s passing,” he said. Shawn is now survived by his wife, Jonelle, and their children, Giana and Braxton.