ASU hires former nose tackle to coach defense
by Steve Behr Sports Editor
Another former Appalachian State Mountaineer is returning to Boone as an assistant coach.
Mark Ivey, a former nose tackle with the Mountaineers, agreed to return to coach outside linebackers. Ivey, the head coach at Barron Collier High School in Napels, Fla., wants to begin at ASU on March 5, the first day of spring practice.
“It's something I've been interested in the past several years,” Ivey said. “When you're talking about a program like Appalachian State, you're not talking about the bottom of the barrel. They're a well-established, dynamic program that is on the rise, if you will. It's a chance to start a new coaching career and it was just impossible for me to turn it down, especially since I played there and am from the area.”
Ivey is the third Appalachian State player from that era to return to Boone. Former ASU quarterback Scott Satterfield was hired to be the assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Another former Mountaineer, Nic Cardwell, was hired to be the team's tight ends coach.
Ivey originally came to Appalachian State from Collinsville, Va., as a linebacker. However, the Mountaineers brought in Dexter Coakley and Marvin Hodge a year later, which forced Ivey to play defensive end. He eventually settled in at nose tackle.
Ivey gave his two weeks notice to Barron Collier on Monday. He will be in Boone this week to find a place to live and get organized for the upcoming spring practice.
Ivey played defensive lineman at Appalachian State before graduating in 1996. He coached five seasons at Barron Collier High School in Naples, Fla., compiling a 36-19 record. The Cougars reached the playoffs in each of his seasons, and won three straight district championships from 2007-09.
Ivey said the toughest part of accepting the job is leaving Barron Collier.
“That's the only downside to this opportunity,” Ivey said. “I am so excited about being there and to be a part of what coach (Jerry) Moore has built. I have an extremely good high school coaching situation here. I don't think there would be any other high school that would be considerable for me because this is a good job and I've got great administrative support here.”
Mark Ivey, a former nose tackle with the Mountaineers, agreed to return to coach outside linebackers. Ivey, the head coach at Barron Collier High School in Napels, Fla., wants to begin at ASU on March 5, the first day of spring practice.
“It's something I've been interested in the past several years,” Ivey said. “When you're talking about a program like Appalachian State, you're not talking about the bottom of the barrel. They're a well-established, dynamic program that is on the rise, if you will. It's a chance to start a new coaching career and it was just impossible for me to turn it down, especially since I played there and am from the area.”
Ivey is the third Appalachian State player from that era to return to Boone. Former ASU quarterback Scott Satterfield was hired to be the assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Another former Mountaineer, Nic Cardwell, was hired to be the team's tight ends coach.
Ivey originally came to Appalachian State from Collinsville, Va., as a linebacker. However, the Mountaineers brought in Dexter Coakley and Marvin Hodge a year later, which forced Ivey to play defensive end. He eventually settled in at nose tackle.
Ivey gave his two weeks notice to Barron Collier on Monday. He will be in Boone this week to find a place to live and get organized for the upcoming spring practice.
Ivey played defensive lineman at Appalachian State before graduating in 1996. He coached five seasons at Barron Collier High School in Naples, Fla., compiling a 36-19 record. The Cougars reached the playoffs in each of his seasons, and won three straight district championships from 2007-09.
Ivey said the toughest part of accepting the job is leaving Barron Collier.
“That's the only downside to this opportunity,” Ivey said. “I am so excited about being there and to be a part of what coach (Jerry) Moore has built. I have an extremely good high school coaching situation here. I don't think there would be any other high school that would be considerable for me because this is a good job and I've got great administrative support here.”