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HBCU picks up championship coach as offensive coordinator

HBCU picks up championship coach as offensive coordinator

Miami Herald2 days ago
Tennessee State University alumnus Shannon Harris made history this summer. As interim head coach, he led the DC Defenders to a dominant 58–34 victory over the Michigan Panthers in the UFL Championship Game on June 14, 2025, securing the franchise's first UFL title. It was the first time an HBCU graduate coached a professional football team to a championship. Now Harris is listed on the Tennessee State University athletics website as the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach.
A former quarterback for TSU in the early 2000s, Harris stepped into the interim head coach role on March 22, 2025. That change followed Reggie Barlow's departure from the Defenders to become TSU's new head coach.
Despite the late-season transition, Harris guided the Defenders to a 6–4 regular-season record. He then led the team through the playoffs and claimed the championship.
In recognition of his leadership, Harris earned the 2025 UFL Coach of the Year Award, officially named the Buddy Teevens Award. He became the first HBCU alumnus to receive the honor, marking a major milestone in HBCU representation in professional football.
Now back at TSU, Harris joins the staff in a key leadership role. His return is a full-circle moment. Along with playing for the Tigers, he has coached at Virginia State, Alcorn State, Alabama State, and Tennessee State.
Harris brings championship experience and deep Tiger pride to the program. His presence strengthens TSU's mission to develop an explosive offense. With his leadership, Tennessee State University football looks to rise in the Ohio Valley Conference and beyond.
The post HBCU picks up championship coach as offensive coordinator appeared first on HBCU Gameday.
Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
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PGA Bringing HBCU Golf to South Florida
PGA Bringing HBCU Golf to South Florida

Miami Herald

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  • Miami Herald

PGA Bringing HBCU Golf to South Florida

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Braves Expected To Listen To Trade Offers For $72 Million All-Star: Report
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Harris throws for three touchdowns, Saskatchewan Roughriders dump B.C. Lions 33-27
Harris throws for three touchdowns, Saskatchewan Roughriders dump B.C. Lions 33-27

Hamilton Spectator

time2 days ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

Harris throws for three touchdowns, Saskatchewan Roughriders dump B.C. Lions 33-27

VANCOUVER - Even after a dominant win, Trevor Harris and his team see room for improvement. The Saskatchewan Roughriders struck early on Saturday and jumped out to a 17-1 lead over the B.C. Lions before the end of the first quarter. They finished the night with a 33-27 win that wasn't nearly as close as the final score suggested. On the sidelines, Harris and his teammates felt they were in charge for the entire game — and that feeling may have led them to ease up late, the quarterback said. 'It's a great lesson for us to never let off the pedal,' he said. 'I thought we played a really good four quarters for the most part offensively. But you'd like for us to be able to finish a little bit better in the red zone, and a couple little mistakes here and there. 'But obviously, any time you can get a win on the road against a good B.C. club that's been playing very, very well lately, we'll take it.' 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I certainly didn't,' Rourke said. 'And I like to give credit where credit is due — I thought their defence, their team, that they outplayed us. But I don't think we're that much further behind. And so I think we beat ourselves.' Saskatchewan struck early on Saturday, with Harris lobbing a rainbow to Dohnte Meyers deep inside Lions' territory less than five minutes into the game. The American receiver nabbed the ball and darted into the end zone for Saskatchewan's first major of the night. The offensive onslaught continued with Harris sailing a 29-yard pass to Joe Robustelli to put the visitors back in scoring position late in the quarter. The quarterback followed up with a short dish to A.J. Ouellette, who dashed five yards into the end zone. Lauther made the convert and the Riders went up 17-1. B.C.'s offence finally found its footing with just seconds to go in the first. Rourke escaped the pocket and fired a 40-yard pass to Ayden Eberhardt, who stepped over the goal line for the Lions' first TD of the night. The two sides traded field goals in the second quarter, with Lauther connecting on 27- and 41-yard attempts and B.C. kicker Sean Whyte sending a 47-yard kick through the uprights. Saskatchewan headed into the locker room up 23-11. The Riders picked up right where they left off out of the break. Less than four minutes into the third quarter, Harris found Meyers deep in the red zone for a 30-yard touchdown. Saskatchewan's biggest problem of the game came midway through the third when Ka'Deem Carey was taken down by Lions linebacker Micah Awe, in a play that left the running back writhing on the turf in obvious discomfort. He was eventually helped off the field by two trainers, putting no weight on his right leg. Mace didn't have an update on Carey's status after the game. 'I don't know much about it, man. Just positive vibes for him,' the coach said. 'But happy as ever that he's part of this organization and he's got a lot of people in this locker room that love him.' B.C. got a spark late in the quarter when Eberhardt reeled in a 39-yard pass from Rourke. The Lions capped the drive with a gutsy play, going for pay dirt on third down where Rourke sent a rocket soaring to Stanley Berryhill III deep in the end zone. The home side then attempted a two-point convert, a move that paid off when the QB spun off a tackle and connected once again with Berryhill on a three-yard toss that cut Saskatchewan's lead to 33-19. With 19 seconds left in the fourth quarter, B.C. added one last major with Rourke handing off to Eberhardt and the receiver rushing in for his second TD of the night. Running back James Butler muscled his way through traffic for a two-point conversion that sealed the score at 33-27. That drive says a lot about the Lions, Rourke said. 'The guys want to fight, they want to play, they want to play for each other, they don't want to give up,' the quarterback said. 'That's what makes it frustrating, is that I think we've got the right pieces this year. We've just got to put it all together.' NOTES Riders receiver Samuel Emilus tallied 78 receiving yards in his return after missing three games with a foot injury. … Lions linebacker Micah Awe made the 500th defensive tackle of his CFL career. … Only Saskatchewan and the Calgary Stampeders have yet to lose a road game this season. NEXT UP Roughriders: Host the Edmonton Elks on Friday. Lions: Host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday, July 27. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 19, 2025.

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