Alabama A&M Formally Introduces Sam Shade as Head Football Coach

Wow, it appears it has been longer than I realized since I last looked in on the various Alabama-based schools. I was not aware of this hire. Good for Coach Shade, this will make A&M very interesting to watch this fall. 

What follows is an abbreviated version of the press release issued January 6th. 

Photo credit unavailable

Alabama A&M University President Dr. Daniel K. Wims and Director of Athletics Dr. Paul A. Bryant welcomed new AAMU head football coach Sam Shade during an introductory press conference on Monday morning at the AAMU Event Center. 

/ 

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. 

 /

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. 

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. 

"Miles places nine on All-SIAC football team"

Nine Golden Bears were named to the All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football team, which was released by the conference office (November 15th)...Additionally, Lashon Young was named SIAC Defensive Player of the Year, Travaunta Abner was the league's Elite 16 winner, and head coach Sam Shade won SIAC Coach of the Year. All selections were made by the vote from each conference football-playing institution.

FIRST TEAM

Young, a sophomore defensive back from Sweet Water, Ala., was selected Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the First Team after a regular season that saw him lead NCAA Division II in interceptions with seven. He also has 12 total passes defended, which is tied for 15th in the nation. He enters the SIAC Championship Game with 34 tackles (29 solo), three tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and an interception that was returned for a touchdown. He also has two game with two interceptions.

Abner, a junior tight end from Lanett, Ala., currently has 19 catches for 256 yards and two touchdowns in eight games this season. This is Abner's second straight season as a First Team selection. He has also been a strong blocker that has established the Golden Bears as one of the top offensive teams in the SIAC. Abner has also shown his prowess in the classroom, which earned him the Elite 16 award, which recognizes the student-athlete who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the SIAC championship level in their sport while also achieving the highest academic standard among their peers. He currently holds a 3.75 grade point average.

Christian Twymon, a senior from Sylacauga, Ala., was chosen as a member of the First Team offensive line. Lining up at left tackle, Twymon started all 10 games and has been a starter all four years he has been in the Golden Bears program. This season, he has 27 pancake blocks, has a 90 percent overall grade, as has allowed just one sack.

Jason Stovall, a redshirt junior from Atlanta, was a Preseason All-SIAC pick and earns his first selection to the First Team. A left guard, Stovall started all 10 games and has 22 pancake blocks. He has an overall grade of 88 percent and allowed just one sack this season. 

Roc Dowdell, a senior from Lanett, Ala., was chosen to the First Team as a defensive lineman. He has been a terror to offenses all season, as he is nationally-ranked in sacks (7.0, t-15th) and has 13.0 tackles for loss, which is sixth in the SIAC. So far this season, Dowdell has 40 tackles (24 solo), two fumble recoveries and a safety.

Lashon Young

SECOND TEAM

Jamichael Rogers, a redshirt junior from Bessemer, Ala., was chosen to the Second Team as a defensive lineman for the second consecutive season. He has been equally as dominant as Dowdell as the defensive end position for Miles, currently tied for 23rd in Division II in tackles for loss (14.0), which is fourth in the SIAC. He has 37 tackles (30 solo), six sacks, and eight quarterback hurries. He also has a pass breakup and a forced fumble.

Jonero Scott, a redshirt junior from Baton Rouge, La., was named to the Second Team as a running back after strong campaign that was only slowed by injury. Despite missing four games and playing sparingly in three others, Scott is currently fifth in the SIAC with 524 rushing yards on just 97 carries with three touchdowns. He had two games with more than 100 yards rushing, including a 184-yard effort at Allen in just three quarters, which was the second-highest single-game total in the SIAC this season.

William Hardy, a senior from Birmingham, Ala., was named to the Second Team as a linebacker. He leads the Golden Bears and is ninth in the SIAC with 61 tackles (40 solo). He has seven tackles for loss, two sacks, three pass breakups and a forced fumble this season.

Cam Williams, a redshirt sophomore from Bessemer, Ala., was named to the Second Team as a defensive back. He has been one of the top corners in the SIAC, currently with 18 tackles (15 solo) and interception and 10 pass breakups, which leads the SIAC. His 11 passes defended is tied for 25th nationally.

Jonero Scott

COACH OF THE YEAR

Shade, in his third season with Miles, wins his first Coach of the Year award after leading the Golden Bears to the best regular season mark in the SIAC. Miles is currently 8-2 overall and went 8-0 in conference play in 2024. The team's current eight-game win streak is tied for the best single-season streak at Miles since 1950. The Golden Bears are also ranked nationally, coming in at No. 25 this week. Miles leads the conference in several categories, including fewest points allowed and most rushing yards, while the team has national rankings in turnovers forced (second), total sacks (tied for second), turnover margin and defensive touchdowns (both tied for fifth).