An offensive lineman in college, Clark was a two-time All-American (1996 and 1998) and three-time all-conference selection (1995, 1996, 1998) for teams that went a combined 45–16 during his first five years in Boone.
Shawn Clark has developed over a dozen NFL offensive lineman in his career (including six O-line draft picks): Cooper Hodges, Larry Turner, Derek Hardman, Dennis Kelly, Nick Mondek, Jordan Roos, Rick Schmeig, Kevin Pamphile, Colby Gossett, Josh Kline, Armani Taylor-Prioleau, Ryan Neuzil, and Beau Nunn.
Appalachian State became the first Sun Belt Conference program to have three offensive linemen named to the all-conference first team (Colby Gossett, Beau Nunn, Victor Johnson).
Upon the departure of Eliah Drinkwitz for Missouri, Clark became the 22nd head coach in program history on December 13, 2019.
Clark's first full season as head coach of the Mountaineers was met with complications from the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused many changes to schedules and football operations around the country.