WVU football sent its condolences to a fellow Big 12 conference foe after the unexpected passing on one of their coaches on Monday.
The UCF Knights announced the untimely passing of 50 year-old offensive line coach Shawn Clark Monday morning, just under two full weeks after it was announced that Clark had been hospitalized following a medical emergency. As recently as last week, UCF head coach Scott Frost had said that Clark was “doing okay” and in “stable condition.”
Just hours after the news broke, West Virginia football’s official social media accounts made a classy move and posted about the tragic loss, taking the moment to publicly extend their sympathies to the program and all those close to Clark.
“Mountaineer football sends our thoughts and condolences to the family of Coach Clark, all who loved him and the UCF football program during this difficult time,” the team’s post read.
Mountaineer football sends our thoughts and condolences to the family of Coach Clark, all who loved him and the UCF football program during this difficult time. https://t.co/swCS1jU4Bn
— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) September 22, 2025
Clark has a prominent connection to the current WVU staff, as cornerbacks coach Rod West joined WVU’s staff this season after serving in the same role underneath Clark at Appalachian State from 2021-2024 – Clark’s only head coaching stop before passing away. Current sophomore cornerback Nick Taylor played for Clark and West at Appalachian State last season before following his position coach to Morgantown.
Clark led the Appalachian State Mountaineers from 2020-2024, and also held assistant coaching jobs at Eastern Kentucky, Kent State, Louisville, and Purdue before joining the staff at Appalachian State. He was in his first season with the Knights.