After reports of being a candidate for the head coach job at Florida A&M, Fort Valley State athletics director Renae Myles Payne has announced that Shawn Gibbs will remain with the Wildcats.
In a statement posted to Twitter/X, Payne announced she and President Paul Jones renewed the contract with Gibbs in association with the Fort Valley State Athletic Association Board.
Our discussions regarding the extension began following our historic victory in the Florida Beach Bowl. Despite enticing offers from other institutions seeking his expertise, Coach Gibbs has chosen to stay with us, reaffirming his commitment to our Wildcats. In the face of opportunities elsewhere, we were proud to secure his continued leadership.
Dr. Renae Myles Payne in a statement posted to Twitter/X
Gibbs Signs to Continue Leading Wildcats on the Gridiron! pic.twitter.com/dMUrIhq0qs
— FVSU Sports (@FVSUATHLETICS) January 16, 2024
In 2022, Coach Gibbs was hired as the head coach of Fort Valley State after nearly 20 years as an assistant coach.
Previous stops include four years as running back coach with Grambling State, four years as running back coach at his alma mater, North Carolina Central, and 10 years as running backs coach with North Carolina A&T.
Gibbs won conference titles at each school, including four Celebration Bowls with North Carolina A&T.
In his two seasons as head coach at FVSU, Gibbs has led the team to a 16-5 overall record, including an 11-4 record in SIAC competition. In December, he led the Wildcats to a 23-10 victory in the inaugural Florida Beach Bowl against Johnson C. Smith.
Following the departure of Florida A&M head coach Willie Simmons, Rattler Nation Blog reported that Gibbs was the preferred choice of FAMU athletic director Tiffani-Dawn Sykes.
The fallout of the report led to outrage among the Florida A&M fanbase. In addition, the school’s National Alumni Association gave a vote of no confidence for Gibbs becoming the team’s next head coach and for Sykes’ ability to lead the athletic department.
Sykes is expected to update Florida A&M stakeholders on her search for a new coach at a Tuesday meeting with the school’s Board of Trustees.
