Rob Appell enters his seventh season as the Head Coach of the Shawnee State University Women's Soccer program in 2012. Appell was named head coach in November of 2005 after spending two seasons as an assistant to both the men and women's teams at Shawnee State.  He is also the head coach of women's tennis as Shawnee State making him the only coach in the Mid-South Conference to serve as head coach of two distinct varsity programs.

Coach Appell has a 53-43-5 overall record in his first six seasons with the Bears marking the highest winning percentage by any soccer coach since its inception. In 2009, the Bears made the school's first ever post season appearance with a 7-5 conference record and an overall record of 11-6. Appell has coached 26 All-Conference selections, eight NAIA All-Region selections, 10 NAIA Scholar Athletes and the 2009 American Mideast Conference Freshman of the Year.

Prior to coaching Appell played goalkeeper for the Bears from 2000 - 2003. Appell accumulated a school record 468 saves over the course of his career.  He earned All-AMC recognition and was the Shawnee State University Branch Rickey student award recipient as a senior in 2003.

Appell, a native of Blacklick, Ohio, is a 2004 graduate of Shawnee State University where he earned his bachelor's degree in Sports Management. In addition to coaching soccer Appell has worked in the sports studies department as an adjunct instructor for the past seven years. Appell is also in his sixth year as an assistant softball coach at Shawnee State.

Coach Appell currently resides in Portsmouth, Ohio.