State Football Hires Justin Harper as Wide Receivers Coach

Image Courtesy of App state Facebook

App State football has hired Justin Harper as the Mountaineers’ wide receivers coach, head coach Dowell Loggains announced. Harper, a native of nearby Catawba, North Carolina, brings extensive coaching experience and a professional playing background to Boone.

Recent Success at James Madison

Harper served on Bob Chesney’s staff as James Madison’s wide receivers coach from 2024-25, helping the Dukes win the 2025 Sun Belt title and reach the College Football Playoff. JMU amassed more than 500 yards of offense in a 51-34 loss to Oregon in the CFP and finished 12-2. Four different JMU wide receivers recorded more than 25 catches in 2025, contributing to 26 touchdown receptions.

During the 2024 season, JMU’s receiving corps helped the offense rank in the top 30 nationally in several categories, including fewest interceptions (tied for No. 1 with four), time of possession (23rd at 31:48), scoring offense (26th at 33.3 points), and pass efficiency (30th at 144.60).

Coaching Background

Prior to joining JMU, Harper coached at Old Dominion as tight ends coach from 2022-23, where he developed Zack Kuntz, who became a seventh-round pick of the New York Jets in the NFL Draft.

Harper also served at Towson (wide receivers/pass game coordinator from 2018-21), helping the Tigers make the 2018 FCS playoffs and coaching two-time All-CAA receiver Shane Leatherbury, who had 12 touchdowns in 2019 and seven in 2018.

His coaching experience also includes stints at Central State (wide receivers in 2017), Virginia State (wide receivers from 2015-16, with a stint as interim head coach in the 2016 preseason), and Lenoir-Rhyne (wide receivers from 2013-14). As Virginia State’s interim head coach from January to May 2016, he signed a recruiting class of 17 players, with three becoming all-rookie performers.

Playing Career

Harper was drafted into the NFL following a standout collegiate career as a Virginia Tech receiver and played professionally from 2008-13, spending his first three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. He caught 83 passes for 1,338 yards and eight touchdowns as a Hokie, scoring twice in the 2008 Orange Bowl. Harper was a seventh-round draft pick of the Ravens before finishing his pro career in Canada with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and BC Lions.

North Carolina Roots

Harper’s football journey began at Bandys High School in Hickory and his coaching career started at nearby Lenoir-Rhyne, bringing him full circle to the North Carolina mountains.

Harper graduated from Virginia Tech in 2008.

Harper’s Coaching Experience

• 2013-14: Lenoir-Rhyne (Wide receivers)
• 2015-16: Virginia State (Wide receivers)
• 2017: Central State (Wide receivers)
• 2018-21: Towson (Wide receivers/Pass game coordinator)
• 2022-23: Old Dominion (Tight ends)
• 2024-25: James Madison (Wide receivers)

Playing Experience

• 2004-07: Virginia Tech (Wide receiver)
• 2008-11: Baltimore Ravens
• 2012-13: CFL