NC A&T turns to Shawn Gibbs to revive football program

NORTH CAROLINA A&T ATHLETICS

North Carolina A&T turned to a familiar face in Shawn Gibbs to lead the football program. Gibbs, who spent the previous three seasons at Fort Valley State, was the Aggies' running backs and special teams coach when A&T was the nation's dominant HBCU program.

Shawn Gibbs is returning to North Carolina A&T, this time to resuscitate the football program.

Gibbs, who was appointed coach Friday, replaces Vincent Brown, who won two games in as many seasons in Greensboro as the Aggies transitioned to the Coastal Athletic Conference. Gibbs, a Black Mountain native, spent 11 seasons at A&T as running backs and special teams coach under head coaches Rod Broadway (2011-17) and Sam Washington (2018-2021) before moving to Division II Fort Valley State in 2022. The Wildcats went 22-9 (17-6 in SIAC games) in three seasons under Gibbs, with a Florida Beach Bowl win against Johnson C. Smith in 2023. FVSU won eight games in 2022 and 2023, which the Wildcats last accomplished 24 years earlier.

“It is a dream come true for me to accept the position as head football coach at North Carolina A&T State University,” Gibbs said in a statement. “My family and I are thrilled to return home to Greensboro, a community with such a special place in our hearts.”

During Gibbs’ first stint at A&T, the Aggies were a dominant force in Black college football, winning at least a share of five MEAC titles between 2014-19, including three straight from 2017-19. He inherits a program that has struggled to create an impact since leaving the MEAC in 2020. The Aggies spent two seasons in the Big South Conference before jumping to the CAA in 2023, which coincided with Brown’s hiring. A&T’s 2-21 record during that time quickly soured alumni, who pushed for Brown’s ouster on Dec. 4.

“We are excited for (Gibbs’) return,” A&T athletics director Earl Hilton III said in a statement. “A&T fans certainly have fond memories of the outstanding job he did coaching some of the best players in our school’s history while also maintaining a high level of respect from those same players. Shawn’s coaching history is very impressive.

As the Aggies’ running backs coach, one of Gibbs’ best pupils was Tarik Cohen, the MEAC’s career rushing leader and three-time conference offensive player of the year. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2017, where he earned All-Pro accolades.

In addition to Cohen, Gibbs also coached 2011 MEAC offensive player of the year Mike Mayhew, two-time All-MEAC and 2017 Celebration Bowl offensive MVP Marquell Cartwright and Jah-Maine Martin, who set the school single-season mark for touchdowns with 23.

Special teams also thrived under Gibbs at A&T. Khris Gardin broke two FCS records as a sophomore by racking up 740 punt return yards in a single season as well as punt return yards per game (61.7). He also coached Tony McRae, who spent four seasons in the NFL.

“It is obvious he finds a way to get the best out of his players,” Hilton said. “Coach Gibbs understands the challenge ahead and has great enthusiasm and passion for North Carolina A&T. I know he can’t wait to get started.”

In addition to A&T and Fort Valley State, Gibbs was Grambling State University’s running backs coach under Broadway from 2007-10 and running back coach at his alma mater, North Carolina Central, also under Broadway from 2003-06, when the Eagles won three straight CIAA titles.

As a running back at NCCU from 1993-97, Gibbs rushed for 1,687 career yards and averaged 5.1 yards per carry. He tied the school record for the longest rushing touchdown from scrimmage in 1996 when he scored on an 89-yard run against Fayetteville State.

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