Alabama A&M University has appointed Sam Shade as its 22nd head football coach, as announced by Director of Athletics Dr. Paul A. Bryant on December 29, 2024.
Shade, a Birmingham, Alabama native, brings a wealth of experience from both his playing and coaching careers. As a player, he was a standout safety at the University of Alabama, contributing to the Crimson Tide’s 1992 national championship team and serving as a team captain in 1994. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 1995 NFL Draft and enjoyed an eight-year NFL career with the Bengals and the Washington Redskins.
Transitioning into coaching, Shade’s career includes roles at various levels. He began as a volunteer coach at Briarwood Christian High School in Alabama, followed by positions at Samford University as special teams and defensive passing game coordinator, and at Georgia State University as cornerbacks coach. In 2018, he served as an assistant special teams coach for the Cleveland Browns. Shade then led Pinson Valley High School to an Alabama Class 6A state championship in 2020 as head coach. Most recently, he was the head coach at Miles College from 2022 to 2024, where he compiled an 18-15 overall record. His 2024 team secured the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.
Dr. Bryant expressed enthusiasm about Shade’s appointment, stating, “This is a new and exciting time to bring Coach Sam Shade to the Hill. He brings a wealth of knowledge and proven success to a program ready to thrive.”
Shade’s diverse coaching background and strong ties to Alabama are expected to invigorate the Bulldogs’ football program as they prepare for the upcoming season.
For more insights into Sam Shade’s appointment, you can watch the following video: