Western Carolina names Mark Speir new head football coach

Mark Speir. Photo: www.goasu.com (Samford - 10/22/2011)

Western Carolina University named Appalachian State assistant coach, Mark Speir their new head football coach on Thursday at a press conference at the University in Cullowhee, N.C.

A Clemson graduate, Speir has coached the Mountaineers’ running backs, defensive line, linebackers, and defensive ends during his nine-year tenure with Appalachian State.

Speir was also a recruiting coordinator for ASU, where he landed some of the nation’s top FCS talent in past seasons.

Speir will take over a struggling Catamount program that has failed to register a winning season since 2005 and has only won one game this past season.