NORMAL — Announced as “another major pillar,” Sam Shade was introduced as the head football coach at Alabama A&M University at a news conference Monday at the AAMU Event Center.
“We’re very excited today to have the opportunity to announce another major pillar in this historic moment of Alabama Agriculture and Mechanical University,” Alabama A&M President Dr. Daniel K.Wims said. “I am very happy to congratulate our Athletic Director Dr. Paul A. Bryant and his staff, and the search and selection committee for your work, diligence, and your attention to detail in this process to make sure we landed on a person that would fit the ecosystem, the fabric and fiber and flavor of Alabama Agriculture and Mechanical University.”
Shade is a winner at every level, from high school to college, having led Pinson Valley High School to a state championship in 2020 and Miles College to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) crown in 2024.
“We did a national search to find our next head coach,” Bryant said. “From that, we received many applications, from high school to professional. Coach Shade checked off all the boxes, including winning a SIAC championship at Miles College.
“He is a winner at all levels, a champion as a player and as a coach.”
Over the past three seasons at Miles, Shade compiled an 18-15 overall record and a 15-7 mark inside the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). In addition, his 2024 team won the conference title and reached the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs, falling to top-ranked Valdosta State in the second round.
“I want to give thanks to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ because without him, I would not be here,” Shade said. I am above thankful and humbled to be here today. I am excited for this opportunity and to be here on The Hill. Every day is a great day to be an Alabama A&M Bulldog, and I am so proud to be one.
“The chase is on. Let’s go hunt and Go Bulldogs!”
In 2023, the Golden Bears finished 7-3 overall, 6-2 in the SIAC. The season included the program’s first win over Division I FCS opponent Alabama State and a 9.2 average margin of victory. It was a marked improvement over his first season in Fairfield, where Miles went 1-9 overall, 1-5 in the SIAC Western Division.
Shade came to Miles after spending two years as head football coach at Pinson Valley High School, where he won an Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 6A state championship in his first season in 2020.
Prior to coaching, Shade played eight years in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals (1995-98) and Washington Redskins (1999-02). He was the Bengals’ leading tackler in 1997 while ranking second on the team in 1998, and then he led the Redskins in 1999.
During his NFL career, his defensive coordinators included NFL Hall of Fame coach Dick LeBeau as well as Mike Nolan, Ray Rhodes and Marvin Lewis. In April 2000, Shade received the Redskins’ Unsung Hero Award for commitment and community service involvement.
Shade played collegiately at Alabama, where he was a member of the Crimson Tide’s 1992 national championship team and was named a team captain as a senior in 1994. He was selected by the Bengals in the fourth round of the 1995 NFL Draft.
Following his retirement from the NFL, Shade began his coaching career as a volunteer coach at Briarwood Christian School in Birmingham, Ala., from 2004-08 before spending eight years at Samford, coaching the secondary and special teams. He would then move to Georgia State, where he coached cornerback. His career would send him back to the NFL as an assistant special teams coach for the Cleveland Browns before returning home to coach at Pinson Valley.
Shade is a Birmingham native who attended Wenonah High School, where he was the recipient of the prestigious Bryant Jordan Scholar Athlete Award, given to the state’s top student-athlete. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Alabama in business administration and finance.
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