Beloved College Football Coach Dies Suddenly At 50

The offensive line coach for the University of Central Florida passed away suddenly at the age of 50 on Sunday. Shawn Clark was hospitalized last week after experiencing a medical emergency, according to school officials. The team confirmed Clark’s death on Monday in a social media post.

“Shawn was so much more than a coach. He was a remarkable man, husband, and father who cared deeply about his players and staff,” UCF head coach Scott Frost said in a statement about Clark’s passing. “The reaction of our players and coaches to the news this morning is a testament to Shawn’s character and the impact he had on every life that he touched. He was loved. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jonelle, and children, Giana and Braxton. We are here to support them and will continue to keep them in our hearts and prayers.”

Coach Clark first joined UCF in December 2024 after previously serving as the head coach of Appalachian State, the UCF Athletics department said. Clark’s coaching career also included stints at Eastern Kentucky, Purdue, and Kent State.

“We are heartbroken by Shawn’s passing,” UCF Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir said in his statement on the matter. “He brought passion, integrity, and a genuine love for people to everything he did. Shawn will be remembered not only for his impact on the game of football, but also for the relationships he built and the example he set as a husband and father. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife and children during this difficult time.”

Clark is survived by his wife, Jonelle, who is a Hall of Fame softball player who spent her college career at Eastern Kentucky, along with the couple’s two children.

“As a player, Clark was a two-time All-American and three-time all-conference selection on the offensive line at App State, where the Mountaineers posted a 45-16 record during his career. He later built his coaching résumé with roles at Eastern Kentucky, Purdue, Kent State, and App State, where he guided multiple All-Americans and NFL draft picks,” the UCF Knights said on their official website.

Clark earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 1998 and a master’s degree in education from the University of Louisville in 2003.