Shawn Gibbs will have his chance to restore North Carolina A&T’s football glory.
Gibbs, recently head coach at Fort Valley State, will make the move back to Greensboro as head coach, the university announced Friday.
“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.
Gibbs served as running backs and special teams coach under both Rod Broadway and Sam Washington during the Aggies’ run of Celebration Bowl victories in 2015 and a three-peat from 2017 through 2019. Gibbs nurtured the talents of running backs such as Tarik Cohen, Marquell Cartwright and Jah-Maine Martin, who had a positive reaction to the word that Gibbs was coming back to Greensboro:
Welcome Back, Coach! pic.twitter.com/iWEVCPS28r
— N.C. A&T Athletics (@NCATAGGIES) December 6, 2024
Gibbs led Fort Valley State to a 22-9 record in his three seasons on the job, including back-to-back eight-win seasons for the first time in nearly a quarter century. The Wildcats won the only (to date) Florida Beach Bowl in 2023, defeating Johnson C. Smith.
“We are excited for his return. 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,” Aggies athletic director Earl Hilton said in a statement by the university. “Shawn’s coaching history is very impressive; It is obvious he finds a way to get the best out of his players. 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.”
The Aggies dismissed Vincent Brown after two seasons earlier this week. Brown was 2-21 as head coach, without a single win in Coastal Athletic Association play.
