Jerry Moore says that in the 17 seasons he has been football coach at Appalachian State, he has never pursued another job. "I've had people call me, I've met them in airports and other places," said Moore. "But never on our campus. I've never actively sought a job that would have me leave here." Moore is the dean of NCAA Division I and I-AA coaches in the Carolinas. His long-standing presence on the sidelines of Appalachian State's Kidd Brewer Stadium has been the vital link in a sustained stretch of excellence by the Mountaineers over the past 20 years -- the best of any Division I school in the Carolinas, according to a statistical analysis by the Observer. A combination of winning, producing NFL-ready players and, of course, Moore's steadiness, put the Mountaineers ahead of I-A's Clemson and Appalachian's Southern Conference rival, Furman. N.C. A&T, which has won or shared five Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships since 1985, is fourth. Appalachian was first in five of the 11 categories used to measure a program's success from 1985-2004 -- overall winning percentage (68.1), conference winning percentage (76.0), coaching stability (Moore is one of just two coaches the Mountaineers have had in 20 years), winning seasons (19) and average conference finish (2.3). The Mountaineers' 4.5 Southern Conference championships tied for second in that category with N.C. A&T. Appalachian was third in postseason appearances (12), All-Americans (12) and average NFL draft round per player (4.6). The catalyst for the Mountaineers' success is Moore, a former head coach at North Texas and Texas Tech who came to Appalachian in 1989 after coach Sparky Woods left for South Carolina. Moore has kept his staff virtually intact in those 17 years. "It's huge, being able to retain them," said Moore, whose record at Appalachian State is 133-66. "It tells you something about living and coaching here." The one goal Moore hasn't reached -- the I-AA national championship -- was attained by Furman in 1988. The Mountaineers made it to the semifinals in 1987 and 2000, losing both times. "Winning (a national title) would be nice," said Moore, 66. "I think about that. But it's not the driving force for us. We just want to be the best we can be." David Scott: (704) 358-5889; dscott@charlotteobserver.com. Kings of the Hill Five players who helped Appalachian State reach the Carolinas' college football mountaintop in the past 20 seasons: DEXTER COAKLEY, LB: Three-time All-American (1994-96) has had a productive NFL career with Dallas and St. Louis. DINO HACKETT, LB: Bruising tackler was solid pro for Kansas City Chiefs. Had 200 tackles for ASU in '85. BJORN NITTMO, K: Made 12 straight field goals in 1988. JOHN SETTLE, RB: Had 20 rushing TDs in 1986. All-time leading rusher (4,645 yards). Played six seasons in NFL with Atlanta Falcons, Washington Redskins. MATT STEVENS, DB: Freshman walk-on had 18 career interceptions when he left the school in 1995, then played nine seasons in the NFL. Jerry Moore File AGE: 66 COLLEGE: Baylor '61 COACHING EXPERIENCE: Corsicana (Texas) High assistant, 1961-64; Southern Methodist assistant, 1965-72; Nebraska assistant, 1973-78; North Texas head coach, 1979-80; Texas Tech head coach, 1981-85; Arkansas assistant, 1988; Appalachian State head coach, 1989-2005. CAREER RECORD: 160-114-2 overall; 133-66 at Appalachian State. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Southern Conference and Appalachian's all-time winningest coach ... Has taken Mountaineers to NCAA Division I-AA playoffs 10 times ... Took Appalachian to 11-0 regular season in 1995, the first time that had happened in Southern Conference since 1951. BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW: Captain of Baylor team that played in 1960 Gator Bowl.