
Appalachian State Mountaineers Embrace Defensive Overhaul for 2026 Season
A look at how Appalachian State’s soccer program is retooling its approach, confronting historic rivals, and aiming for a turnaround in a demanding schedule.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Appalachian State University across Football, Basketball, Soccer.

A look at how Appalachian State’s soccer program is retooling its approach, confronting historic rivals, and aiming for a turnaround in a demanding schedule.

A look at the life, career, and lasting impact of Terry Hampton Jones, the former South Rowan basketball coach whose achievements are being honored by the Salisbury-Rowan Hall of Fame.

The Thundering Herd open the 2026 campaign on September 5 at Penn State, a rematch of a rivalry that dates back to 1930. After a bowl‑ineligible 2025, Marshall enters the Sun Belt preseason poll third in the East, buoyed by a record‑breaking quarterback and a coaching staff anchored by Tony Gibson.

The Mountaineers face a critical 2026 season after a 5‑8 record, with new head coach Dowell Loggains aiming to rebuild a roster depleted by transfer portal departures while leveraging a top‑ranked recruiting class and a solid defensive core.

McCarthy, a data‑driven coach with experience at Appalachian State, Wake Forest and CTX Baseball, will lead UNC Asheville’s pitching development.

Syracuse University enters its first ACC season under new head coach Gerry McNamara, a former championship point guard, bringing a defensive mindset and a blend of veteran returnees and fresh talent.

The Sun Belt Conference and Appalachian State unveiled an 18‑game schedule that opens with a road test at Louisiana Tech and culminates with a New Year’s Eve home opener against Troy, highlighting a season that blends tradition with new challenges.
Justin Smith joins the Oklahoma Sooners as head athletic trainer, bringing extensive medical experience from college and professional football.

A.J. Clark, a Western Alamance alumnus, has been hired as an assistant coach at Appalachian State University, bringing extensive playing and coaching experience back to his home state.

Appalachian State athletics director Doug Gillin has been appointed to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee, succeeding Dr. Bryan Maggard, as the CFP prepares for its 2027 championship in Las Vegas.
Scott Satterfield enters a pivotal fourth season with the Cincinnati Bearcats, facing a critical juncture after three consecutive late‑season collapses. The program has overhauled its roster with 46 new players, revamped its coaching staff, and is banking on a strengthened offensive line and aggressive defense to break past patterns of underachievement.

A Colorado judge’s injunction lets Class of 2022 players extend eligibility, forcing teams to juggle roster limits, scholarship budgets and the prospect of veteran talent while the NCAA prepares to appeal.

Senior cornerback Jason Chambers will use his fifth year of eligibility but enter the transfer portal, aiming to find a program where he can secure a more prominent role amid a reshaped secondary.

Washington’s 2026 draft class blends polished hitters like Chris Hacopian with arms such as Cooper Allen, setting the stage for a competitive minor‑league roster

The 2026 MLB draft highlighted a cluster of standout players from Rowan County, each making pivotal decisions about professional contracts, college commitments, and future eligibility.

As the transfer portal reshapes college football rosters, the University of South Florida Bulls are emphasizing the veterans who remain, showcasing how loyalty, experience and off‑field initiatives are shaping the program’s identity.

UCF’s baseball squad welcomes a trio of transfers — including standout outfielder Chase Williams — while saying goodbye to several key players, setting the stage for a competitive push in the upcoming campaign.
From tight ends bound for Florida to five‑star recruits headed to Ohio State, the 2026 central Ohio senior class offers a glimpse into the next wave of college football stars

The Wildcats will test their mettle against a lineup of top opponents, from Little Rock’s new coach Travis Ford to traditional powerhouses like Kansas and Florida.

The University of West Florida announces its initial Atlantic Sun Conference schedules for both men's and women's basketball, highlighting balanced home and road games, tournament eligibility, and recent coaching changes.

Kentucky will host Appalachian State on Dec. 5, 2026, and welcome Little Rock for an exhibition on Oct. 16, 2026, adding fresh storylines and strategic value to its season plan.
EA Sports' latest College Football 27 ratings highlight the Rams' most promising athletes, from defensive disruptors to playmaking receivers, offering a glimpse of the team's strengths heading into the upcoming campaign.
Za'Kari Johnson, a four‑star recruit, switches from Cypress Bay to Carol City and pledges to the Seminoles, sparking excitement for the upcoming season.

Four‑star recruit Za'Kari Johnson has flipped from Cypress Bay to Carol City and pledged to Florida State, adding a dynamic playmaker to a roster already brimming with top talent.