By Bret Strelow. BOONE, N.C. — App State alum and staff member Lance Ware has been named an assistant coach overseeing the tight ends, head coach Shawn Clark announced Saturday, Jan. 6.
A title-winning coach who won multiple state championships before returning to his alma mater, Ware has served as App State’s Senior Assistant to the Head Coach since being hired to that position by Eliah Drinkwitz in February 2019. In that role, he has assisted Drinkwitz and Clark with all aspects of organization and running the football program.
“Lance has been an extremely valuable member of our staff for the last five years after a successful run of winning five state championships as head coach at Shelby High School. I’m excited for him to serve in this new role,” Clark said. “He and his family are true Mountaineers. He is a great teacher and mentor of young men who will continue to help us compete for championships and provide a world-class experience.”
In his time on staff since 2019, App State has won a Sun Belt championship, made two additional conference title game appearances, earned four bowl berths and won three bowl trophies.
“I am extremely grateful to Coach Clark and Doug Gillin for giving me the opportunity to lead the tight ends in my new role at App State,” Ware said. “I look forward to continuing our outstanding tradition of excellence on and off the field, while competing for championships.”
As head coach of Shelby High School just outside of Charlotte from 2011-18, Ware compiled a 99-25 overall record over eight seasons and won five state championships in his last six years.
Ware led the Golden Lions to 2A state championships in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and 2AA state titles in 2016 and 2018. During his eight-year tenure, Shelby went 33-3 in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association playoffs. In 2022, he was inducted into the Cleveland County Sports Hall of Fame.
During his 22 total seasons coaching at Shelby, the Golden Lions played for 11 state titles, winning eight.
A four-year letterman at App State under head coach Jerry Moore from 1992-96, Ware was the Mountaineers’ long snapper for four seasons. In 1995, Ware helped the Mountaineers go undefeated in the regular season and win a Southern Conference title while playing alongside Clark and two other current FBS head coaches (Georgia State’s Shawn Elliott, Cincinnati’s Scott Satterfield), as well as College Football Hall of Famer Dexter Coakley.
Ware and his wife, Catherine, have three children – Reece, Stockton and Presley.
WARE AT A GLANCE
Coaching Experience
1997-2000: Shelby H.S. (Assistant coach)
2001-10: Shelby H.S. (Defensive coordinator)
2011-18: Shelby H.S. (Head coach and athletic director)
2019-23: App State (Senior assistant to the head coach)
Playing Experience
1992-96: App State (Long snapper)
Alma Mater: App State, 1997
Hometown: Shelby, N.C.
Birthdate: Dec. 13, 1973
Wife: Catherine
Children: Reece, Stockton, Presley
Twitter: @lgware
