UCF assistant, ex-App St. coach Clark dies at 50

UCF adjunct manager Shawn Clark, who was the caput manager astatine Appalachian State for 5 seasons, died Sunday astatine 50.

Clark had been hospitalized aft experiencing a aesculapian exigency Sept. 9. UCF manager Scott Frost said past week that Clark was "doing OK, he's successful unchangeable condition," and others adjacent to him said helium was making advancement successful his recovery. But helium died "unexpectedly" Sunday, UCF announced, with his woman Jonelle astatine his side.

"Shawn was truthful overmuch much than a coach. He was a singular man, husband, and begetter who cared profoundly astir his players and staff," Frost said successful a statement. "The absorption of our players and coaches to the quality this greeting is simply a testament to Shawn's quality and the interaction helium had connected each beingness that helium touched. He was loved. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jonelle, and children, Giana and Braxton. We are present to enactment them and volition proceed to support them successful our hearts and prayers."

Clark was successful his archetypal twelvemonth with UCF arsenic violative enactment manager aft going 40-24 astatine Appalachian State. A erstwhile Appalachian State violative lineman, Clark returned to his alma mater arsenic violative enactment manager and co-offensive coordinator successful 2016, earlier taking implicit the programme pursuing the 2019 season.

"You bask this sport, and you privation to bash it with radical you similar and attraction about," Frost said past week. "There's not precise galore guys I've ever been astir that I bask being astir arsenic overmuch arsenic Coach Clark, not conscionable a large manager but a truly bully man."

Before returning to Appalachian State, Clark made stops astatine Kent State, Purdue and Eastern Kentucky.

"We are heartbroken by Shawn's passing," UCF diversion manager Terry Mohajir said successful a statement. "He brought passion, integrity, and a genuine emotion for radical to everything helium did."

Clark is survived by Jonelle, a Hall of Fame softball subordinate astatine Eastern Kentucky, and their 2 children.