NEW ORLEANS – When Dowell Loggains stepped up to the microphone at Sun Belt Media Days, he wasn’t just representing Appalachian State’s football program, he was setting a tone for a new era. “This is a special place with special people,” said Loggains, making his first Sun Belt Media Day appearance as the Mountaineers’ head coach. “Coach Jerry Moore taught us to always do more than is expected. That mentality, driven by a chip-on-the-shoulder attitude, has been with us since day one.”
That same underdog spirit that helped turn Appalachian State into a national brand, from The Rock in Boone to the "Big House" in Michigan, now powers a program that’s being rebuilt under Loggains with clear principles: toughness, accountability, and a professional mindset.
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| Photo Credit: App State Sports |
A Staff with NFL Credentials
Loggains’ coaching resume is deeply rooted in the NFL, and he made it clear that his vision for App State’s future is influenced heavily by those experiences. “We built a staff that boasts 93 years of NFL experience,” he said. “That group has coached 46 Pro Bowlers and eight Hall of Famers. We knew with the new landscape of college football, between the transfer portal, NIL, and roster turnover, it was important to bring in people who understood the business side.”
In many ways, Loggains sees modern college football as a mirror of the NFL: “The transfer portal is college football’s version of free agency. We’re evaluating players not just on the field, but off it, who goes to class, who’s coachable, who can thrive in a team environment.” With 54 newcomers on the roster, 36 from the transfer portal and 18 freshmen, the Mountaineers are blending youth with professional expectations.
But for Loggains, high school recruiting remains the lifeblood of the program: “We’ve got great high school football in North Carolina. We’re always going to recruit in our state. It’s part of who we are.”
Built in the Trenches
Of all the players Loggains could have brought to represent App State, he chose two linemen, left tackle Jayden Ramsey and defensive end Shawn Collins, because, as he said, “We’re a trench team...these guys represent our core values, smart, tough, competitive, better than anyone else, and we believe great teams are built up front.”
Ramsey, who started seven games at guard last year, voluntarily moved to left tackle to help the team. Despite transfer interest, the Anderson, South Carolina native stayed put. “He wanted to finish what he started with his brothers,” Loggains said. Collins, a transfer from Rutgers, has grown into a vocal leader for the defense. “He holds people accountable,” said Loggains. “You can see him growing into who he’s meant to be.” Both players spoke about the professional tone their coaches have set.
“We work day in and day out with coaches that have been at the highest level,” Collins said. “You respect that. It pushes you.” Ramsey added: “Everything is just really professional. They know how to take care of your body. They know how to build a team.”
Brotherhood Through Adversity
In addition to navigating a coaching change, the App State program has faced adversity off the field. A devastating hurricane disrupted the Boone area last fall. “Our players helped around town, packaging meals and loading up helicopters with supplies,” Loggains recalled. “That’s what makes App special. We’re all a family up in the mountains.”
Ramsey and Collins echoed that sentiment. “We were blessed to still have our homes, but a lot of people weren’t,” Collins said. “The university made it a priority to respond and to help. And we were part of that.” “Yeah, we had mandatory events,” Ramsey added. “Not because they forced us to, but because that’s who we are. That’s the culture.”
Culture Over Hype
Culture is a word that often gets thrown around at media days, but Loggains is focused on making it tangible, building it through shared moments away from the football field. “The connection is real. That’s what separates teams in the fourth quarter,” he said. “Everyone in this league works hard. But it’s the cookouts, the dodgeball tournaments, the time spent playing video games together, that’s what builds brotherhood.”
Loggains knows what he left behind at South Carolina, he coached the nation’s best receiver in Xavier Legette, but he believes App State offers something unique. “We were coaching the best players in the SEC,” he said. “But it had to be something special for us to leave. And App State is special. It’s a place where football matters.”
Quarterback Race and Offensive Identity
One of the biggest question marks heading into fall camp is the quarterback battle. Among the contenders is AJ Swan, a former SEC starter who transferred from Vanderbilt. “He’s one of five guys in the mix,” Loggains said. “We love his skill set. He even lit it up in our basketball tournament, draining threes. But he’ll have to earn it just like the rest.”
As for offensive identity, Loggains says the scheme will match the personnel. “At South Carolina, we threw it more because of Spencer Rattler and Xavier,” he said. “But we’ve also had success building around the run game. We’ve got talented backs. We’ll play to our strengths.”
Big Goals, Big Stage
App State opens the season with a marquee game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte against the 49ers. But players are already eyeing a week four showdown at Boise State. “It’s cool to play on that kind of stage,” Collins said. “But this isn’t new for App. We’ve always played tough games and shown up.” Ramsey added: “We focus on what’s in front of us. Right now, it’s about getting better every day in camp.”
The Sun Belt East will be a gauntlet again this year. Preseason polls picked App State third behind James Madison and Georgia Southern, but Loggains isn’t reading the headlines. “The polls don’t mean anything,” he said. “We’re focused on what we can control.” And what they can control, Loggains insists, is their effort, their unity, and their standard. “These guys don’t get tired of doing what’s right,” he said. “They’re the best part of our program. And I’m proud to go to battle with them.”
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