North Carolina A&T wasted little time in hiring program veteran Shawn Gibbs as head football coach last month.
Gibbs in turn has wasted little time in filling out his coaching staff for the 2025 season, many of whom have ties to the Aggie program.
“I’m excited about the staff we have assembled here,” Gibbs said in a statement released by the university. “We have several guys who have ties to A&T and have accomplished many things as players and coaches in the HBCU world and in the pros as players.”
Defensive coordinator Denzel Jones was the inaugural Celebration Bowl defensive MVP during A&T’s 41-34 win over Alcorn State in 2015. Jones was Gibbs’ DC at Fort Valley State (where the Wildcats had the top rushing defense in Division II last season) and served as linebackers coach previously at A&T with Sam Washington.
Another Aggie Celebration Bowl veteran, Tony McRae, will coach the defensive backs while Ron Mattes (offensive line), Nate Poole (wide receivers), Keith Henry (running backs) Terry Lantz (outside linebackers), Stephen Barnette (tight ends) and Alex Purviance (assistant linebackers’ coach) will return to Greensboro as well.
The offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach is former Howard signal caller Greg McGhee, who still holds MEAC records for total completions and passing yardage. Also joining Gibbs from Fort Valley State will be defensive line coach O.C. Williams II and director of football operations Theric Holt.
The new era of North Carolina A&T football begins Saturday Aug. 30 with a trip to Nasvhille and a battle with Big South-OVC co-champ and 2024 FCS playoff participant Tennessee State.
