Sloan Returns to App State as Defensive Coordinator

Story Links BOONE, N.C. — Scot Sloan, who helped App State Football rise to prominence in its unprecedented transition from the FCS to FBS ranks, is returning

to Boone as defensive coordinator, head coach Shawn Clark announced Friday.   Sloan will oversee a Mountaineer defense that was annually rated among college football's best

during his time on staff from 2010-17.   "We are excited to welcome Scot and his family back to Boone," Clark said. "Scot played a key role in our championship success and

recruiting during his first stint here. He has coordinated successful defenses with multiple programs, and he will instill a tough, sound, disciplined approach for our defense

moving forward."   Before spending last season as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach for an Army team that ranked third nationally in passing yards allowed, he was the

defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Georgia Southern from 2018-21.   "I would like to thank Coach Clark, Doug Gillin and Chancellor Everts for this opportunity to return

to App State," Sloan said. "The eight years that my family and I spent at App State earlier in my career were very special years. My wife Stephanie and I are very excited to rejoin

the Mountaineer family. I am looking forward to meeting all of the players and to building a relationship with them. I can't wait to take the field again at The Rock!"   A veteran

defensive coach with 30+ years of experience, Sloan has served as either defensive coordinator or co-defensive coordinator in 15 of those seasons. He also spent seven years as

App State's recruiting coordinator from 2011-17, with App State's 2017 class being hailed as the nation's No. 13 haul in The Athletic's re-rank four years later.   Sloan's

defenses at Georgia Southern included a 2020 squad that was No. 1 in the country for interceptions (18) and ranked 14th in total defense, 14th in rushing defense and 12th in red

zone defense. The 2019 Eagles were tops in the Sun Belt in tackles for loss and fumbles recovered, while the 2018 team led the FBS with a +22 turnover margin in large part thanks

to 15 interceptions by Sloan's defense.   Among his standout pupils in Statesboro were All-Americans Kindle Vildor and Raymond Johnson III as well as Freshman All-American

Derrick Canteen. Vildor was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft and has enjoyed NFL success along with Sloan-coached defenders Johnson, Joshua

Moon and Donald Rutledge Jr.   Sloan spent eight seasons as App State's secondary coach and was promoted to co-defensive coordinator in the spring of 2017. During that