HBCU Transactions

Fort Valley, Ga. – Fort Valley State University Athletic Director Dr. Anthony Holloman has named Shawn Gibbs as the head football coach.
 
A press conference was held today (February 10) at the Christine and Willie C. Jones Amphitheater on the FVSU campus.
 
"I'm extremely excited about the opportunity to lead this program," Gibbs said. "Fort Valley State has a tradition of great coaches, players, and a family atmosphere. I'm thankful, and I'm excited to get to work."
 
Gibbs has an extensive background in coaching that includes 19 seasons as both an assistant head coach and positions coach at the collegiate level. His coaching experience includes stints at North Carolina A&T University, North Carolina Central University, and Grambling State University.

Gibbs became the North Carolina A&T assistant head coach and running backs coach under legendary head coach Rod Broadway in 2011. His responsibilities included coordinating meetings, implementing game strategies, and recruiting players. During Gibbs' tenure at N.C. A&T, every season, except one, a running back rushed for over 1,000 yards. 

Under the tutelage of Gibbs, many N.C. A&T running backs have had successful careers. In 2011, Mike Mayhew was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Former running back Tarik Cohen won the Conference Offensive Player of the Year award three times (2014-16) along with being named MEAC Freshman of the Year (2013) and earning All-American honors.  

Cohen led the league in rushing all four of his seasons with over 1,000 yards each year. Cohen's other accomplishments include being the MEAC and N.C. A&T all-time leading rusher (5,619), being named to numerous All-American teams, being a four-time First Team All-MEAC selection all while being one of the most nationally recognized players in the nation. Cohen also broke the Aggies single season rushing record with 1,588 yards. 

Gibbs helped Cohen become the first-ever Deacon Jones Award winner for best Black College Football Player in the nation. The Chicago Bears drafted Cohen in the fourth round of the NFL Draft in 2017

Gibbs' success in developing running backs continued after Cohen. N.C A&T's Marquell Cartwright took over and rushed for 2,149 yards and 21 touchdowns over his final two seasons (2017-18), earning two First Team All-MEAC honors and the 2017 Celebration Bowl Offensive MVP award.  Between Mayhew, Cohen, and Cartwright, the Aggies have had a back lead the MEAC in rushing in seven out of the last eight years. In 2018, the Aggies had two running backs earn all-conference honors as Cartwright was a First Team selection and Jah-Maine Martin was a Third Team honoree. 

Gibbs' coaching helped the Aggies dominate their league with five MEAC Championships and four Celebration Bowl Championships.
After playing his college football at North Carolina Central, Gibbs began his coaching career at N.C. A&T in 2002, where he served as tight ends coach. During this time, he helped created offensive game plans, as well as, assisted in the teaching of football fundamentals and techniques.
 
After spending one year at N.C. A&T, Gibbs returned to his alma mater, North Carolina Central, to serve as running backs coach. His expertise helped lead the team to consecutive Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships and National Collegiate Athletic Conference Division II playoff berths (2005-2006). During the 2006 season, the Eagles led the CIAA in scoring offense, total offense, and rushing offense.
 
In 2007, Gibbs became the running backs coach at Grambling State University. Under his guidance, the Tigers held one of the most prolific running games in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision. Gibbs inherited a young running back corps that included freshmen Frank Warren and Cornelius Walker. In their first year under Gibbs, Warren and Walker combined for 1,466 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. Warren was named Southwestern Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year in 2007 as he finished with 901 yards. The running game continued to prosper under Gibbs in 2009 as the Tigers' rushing attack ascended to a No. 12 ranking nationally.
 
FVSU Media Contacts:
Raynard Churchwell, FVSU Marketing Communications Specialist

 
Chris Myers, FVSU Sports Information Director

~fvsusports.com