App State football head coach Shawn Clark had to battle through a new world in a pandemic in his first season. The Mountaineers struggled at times in big games, especially against conference co-champions Coastal Carolina and Louisiana. During those tough losses, Clark was able to learn from mistakes and grow with his team. In 2021, App State returns 17 of their 22 starters, a multitude of them earning preseason honors.
After a tumultuous year, the Mountaineers have reloaded their roster, bringing in the second-highest ranked recruiting class in the Sun Belt, according to 247Sports. App State was voted co-favorites to win the East Division in 2021, tied with the Chanticleers with 44 points in the polls.