Dowell Loggains, South Carolina’s offensive coordinator, is reportedly leaving for the head coaching position at Appalachian State. Despite the Gamecocks finishing the season with an impressive 9-3 record, Loggains’ departure marks a significant change for the program. He will take over for Shawn Clark, who was dismissed after five seasons following the Mountaineers’ first losing record since 2013, finishing 5-6 overall and 3-5 in conference play.
Loggains’ move wasn’t unexpected. During the SEC Championship game, ESPN’s Pete Thamel highlighted him as a top candidate for the Appalachian State job. The Mountaineers later confirmed the hiring on social media, sharing a photo of Loggains with the caption, “We got our guy!”
The loss is notable for South Carolina, as Loggains played a critical role in the team’s offensive success during the 2024 season. Under his leadership, the Gamecocks boasted the SEC’s third-best rushing offense (188.9 yards per game) and ranked in the top 50 nationally in scoring (31.6 points per game), total offense (409.3 yards per game), and rushing. Loggains also mentored redshirt freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who developed into a dynamic dual-threat player, amassing 2,274 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 655 rushing yards with seven touchdowns.
Before joining South Carolina, Loggains served as a tight ends coach at Arkansas and held various offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach roles in the NFL with teams like the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets. While South Carolina faces the challenge of replacing Loggains, Appalachian State appears to have secured a coach with a promising track record.
