Louisville QB coach Frank Ponce leaving for OC job at Appalachian State

According to multiple reports, Louisville quarterbacks coach Frank Ponce is expected to leave U of L for Appalachian State, where he will take over as the program’s new offensive coordinator.

Frank Ponce is expected to rejoin the Mountaineers and work with the offense and quarterbacks, having spent the last two football seasons as the passing game coordinator/QB coach at Louisville under former App State coach Scott Satterfield.

Negotiations are still being finalized between the two sides, according to a source, but the hiring is imminent.

He replaces Tony Petersen, who held the role in 2020 before taking the same position at Illinois last month. Ponce’s return brings in a playcaller with an already baked-in knowledge of App State’s offensive schemes and goals.

Ponce worked at App State from 2013 through 2018 as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. The last two seasons, he paired as the passing game coordinator with current head coach Shawn Clark, who at that time was the run-game coordinator and offensive line coach.

Ponce becomes the second cooridnator to leave U of L this offseason, joining running backs coach Norval McKenzie. McKenzie left to accept the same position at his alma mater, Vanderbilt.

It should also be noted that offensive coordinator/offensive line Dwayne Ledford has been reported to be one of “three strong candidates” to fill the head coaching vacancy at Marshall.

It’s major college football. This is what happens when the pads stop cracking in the winter.

Best of luck to coach Ponce back in Boone.