Appalachian State Banks on NFL Experience as Loggains Debuts in Charlotte
Appalachian State’s coaching staff brings nearly a century of NFL tenure to Boone’s sideline, led by first-year head coach Dowell Loggains. He makes his debut Friday when the Mountaineers meet Charlotte in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
Loggains arrives in Boone after 16 years in the NFL, stepping into the head job in December after serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at South Carolina in 2023 and 2024. He’s surrounded by an experienced group: assistant head coach Clyde Christensen has 27 years of NFL coaching behind him, and defensive backs coach Curtis Fuller is a former NFL player who spent more than a decade coaching in the league, helping the Carolina Panthers reach the Super Bowl in the 2015 season. Senior defensive assistant Bob Sanders has 18 years of NFL experience.
Defensive coordinator D.J. Smith also carries NFL seasoning. He played four years in the league, including time with the Green Bay Packers who drafted him in 2011, and later coached at several levels before returning for a second stint with App State. Loggains noted that Smith’s NFL pedigree and App State alum connection were key reasons for the hire, praising his passion for the program and his ability to coach against high-level competition in the SEC.
“He bleeds black and blue, and you want people who care about the program,” Loggains said of Smith. “We watched what they did with their linebackers and defense last year—they ran to the football, forced turnovers, played relentlessly. We’re fortunate to have him.”
App State’s defense last season ranked eighth in total defense in the 14-team Sun Belt, but the Mountaineers also finished 12th in scoring defense and 10th in rushing defense, contributing to a 5-6 record and a missed postseason.
The big question heading into 2025 is who will replace quarterback Joey Aguilar, who threw for 6,760 yards for App State before transferring to Tennessee. Loggains said the competition remains open, with three players in the mix and expected to rotate during the season’s early stages: JJ Kohl from Iowa State, AJ Swann (a transfer from LSU and former Vanderbilt starter), and Billy Wiles from Southern Miss.
“It’s an open competition and they’re all going to rotate,” Loggains explained.
While defense remains a priority, Loggains and much of his staff understand the Carolina-like spotlight of a big weekend in a big stadium. He called Saturday’s game an excellent experience for players and a strong recruiting tool for the program. “With that, you get to see all the hard work we’ve put in to this point. Now is when it really starts to matter.”
What to watch
– QB battle: Expect early rotation and live reps that could set the tone for the season. How Kohl, Swann, and Wiles adapt to pro-style concepts will be telling.
– Defensive uplift: Can Smith’s unit translate NFL-wue to a college setting and lift the defense to consistently tougher outings in the Sun Belt?
– Recruiting edge: Playing in a nationally visible game against Charlotte could boost visibility with high school prospects and transfer portal targets.
– Stadium experience: The Duke’s Mayo Classic offers a high-profile stage to showcase Loggains’ system and the program’s direction heading into 2025.
Summary: Appalachian State enters the season confident in a coaching staff rich in NFL experience, a quarterback derby with three capable contenders, and a defensive unit seeking to rebound. Friday’s game in Charlotte serves as a roadmap for the Mountaineers’ approach to a pivotal 2025 campaign and a potential springboard for recruiting momentum.
Additional note: The blend of NFL coaching acumen and App State’s culture could yield a disciplined, pro-style program that emphasizes fundamentals, situational football, and competitive depth across both sides of the ball. If the QB competition settles quickly and the defense improves, the Mountaineers could position themselves for a strong comeback season.