Latest news with #ShannonHarris
Miami Herald
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU picks up championship coach as offensive coordinator
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
Miami Herald
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU history made as DC Defenders take UFL crown
Shannon Harris, a former quarterback at Tennessee State University, made history Saturday night by becoming the first HBCU graduate to coach a team to a professional sports championship. Harris led the DC Defenders to a record-breaking 58-34 victory over the Michigan Panthers in the 2025 UFL Championship Game. The Defenders exploded with a 31-6 run in the second quarter, setting the tone for their dominant finish. Quarterback Jordan Ta'amu was named UFL Championship Game MVP, throwing for a record-setting 390 yards on 21-of-28 passing and four touchdowns. Jaydon Mickens caught six passes for 132 yards, fueling the aerial assault. Michigan came out strong, scoring on its first two drives to seize a 13-6 lead. DC answered with 25 unanswered points, including a 22-yard field goal and touchdown drives capped by Cornell Powell's 19-yard grab and Ta'amu's quarterback sneak on fourth-and-goal. A two-point conversion extended the lead to 23-13. Shortly before halftime, Deon Jackson broke free for a 5-yard rushing touchdown, pushing the advantage to 31-13. Although Michigan's Bryce Perkins connected with Malik Turner for a 71-yard touchdown late in the half, Ta'amu struck again with a 73-yard pass to Ty Scott, giving DC a comfortable 37-19 lead at intermission. In the third quarter, DC secured its lead when Jackson scored from 17 yards out following an interception. Briley Moore added a touchdown catch early in the fourth quarter, pushing the score to 52-19. Michigan rallied with three consecutive possessions and the benefit of UFL's 4th-and-12 rule, narrowing the gap to 52-34 before DC's defense sealed the win with a final touchdown. The 58 points were the most ever scored in UFL history and signaled a new era for spring football-and for coaches emerging from HBCU programs. Players from Virginia State as well as star receiver Chris Rowland, also from Tennessee State, are also a part of the HBCU legacy of this championship team. The post HBCU history made as DC Defenders take UFL crown appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Fox News
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
UFL Awards: Shannon Harris named Coach of the Year, Bryce Perkins is OPOY
The 2025 UFL Championship is set. The Michigan Panthers, who defeated the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL Conference title game, will take on the DC Defenders, who took down the St. Louis Battlehawks in the XFL Conference title game. The championship game will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday in St. Louis. Before the title game gets underway, the UFL is set to handout multiple awards for the 2025 season, including MVP. Here's who was honored this year: MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: To be announced Friday, June 13 ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR: To be announced Thursday, June 12 COACH OF THE YEAR: Shannon Harris, DC Defenders OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Bryce Perkins, QB, Michigan Panthers DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Pita Taumoepenu, LB, St. Louis Battlehawks SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR: Leon O'Neal Jr., S, Houston Roughnecks Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hundreds in Worcester unite for peaceful protest on Mother's Day following recent ICE arrest
On Sunday afternoon, hundreds of people showed up to Worcester Common on Mother's Day for a peaceful protest that was organized by Mass 50501, part of a nationwide, grassroots movement. 'I'm out here because a mother was taken in front of her child,' said Shannon Harris, who is a mother. Many people in Sunday's crowd were mothers or they attended the demonstration with their moms. Mass 50501 volunteers said protests like these have been happening everyday since last Thursday's incident caught on cell phone video. It shows ICE agents detain and separate a Brazilian mother from her family in a Worcester neighborhood. The Department of Homeland Security told Fox News the woman was in the country illegally and arrested by police for multiple counts of assault and battery. The scene became more chaotic when neighbors and community leaders rushed to there. Worcester police officers made two arrests, including a Worcester School Committee Candidate accused of pushing officers. 'Regardless of somebody's status as a documented person or not, there's a due process, and there's a way to treat people with human rights,' explained Laura who attended the protest but didn't want her last name published. 'What I can do is show support for people on the street that may be affected by these issues that are too scared to speak and may not feel that solidarity otherwise.' Worcester police are still reviewing evidence from last Thursday's incident, and they said more charges are possible. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Fox News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Five things to watch for in Week 7 of the 2025 UFL season
The DC Defenders have the UFL's leading passer in quarterback Jordan Ta'amu. But Ta'amu needs a consistent pass catcher to throw the ball to, and this year that has been Chris Rowland. The Tennessee State product leads the league in receiving yards (395) and is tied for the league lead in receiving touchdowns (three). Rowland is also the UFL's leader in all-purpose yards (836). [MORE: What is the UFL? Everything to know about the 2025 United Football League] At 5-foot-8 and 179 pounds, Rowland doesn't overwhelm opponents with his size or speed. Instead, he's always exactly where he needs to be on the field, serving as a security blanket for Ta'amu. Rowland finished with nine receptions for 144 receiving yards and a touchdown in the Defenders' loss to the Michigan Panthers last week. "He prepares every week the right way," Defenders interim head coach Shannon Harris said about Rowland. "He prepares his body the right way. That's why he's able to be out there and sustain a lot of playing time. When he comes out to work for practice, he understands the scheme, week in and week out. He's really good at talking back with the quarterback, Jordan, in what he's seeing, so he over communicates. He's a pro's pro." Rowland will need to be at his best this weekend as the Defenders (4-2) push towards the playoffs, hitting the road to face the San Antonio Brahmas (1-5) on Friday night (8 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). Then, the Arlington Renegades (3-3) host the Panthers (4-2) on Saturday (1 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). Closing things out with a doubleheader, with the Houston Roughnecks (3-3) facing the Birmingham Stallions (4-2) — the defending champions' their third game in a row at Protective Stadium — on Sunday (noon ET), followed by the Memphis Showboats (1-5) playing host to the St. Louis Battlehawks (4-2) later that evening (3 p.m. ET). Here's a closer look at five things to watch for in Week 7: The Brahmas will stick with Hogan as the team's starting quarterback for a second straight week after he did a better job of creating explosive plays on offense in Week 6. Jarrett Guarantano will serve as the team's No. 2 quarterback, while Kellen Mond — the team's starter to begin the season — will serve as the emergency No. 3 quarterback. San Antonio is averaging a league-low 11.8 points per game and hasn't scored a touchdown in the past two games. Interim head coach Payton Pardee will continue to serve as the team's head coach this week. However, Wade Phillips said he's in better health and plans to attend his team's game this weekend in Birmingham. Phillips took a leave of absence earlier this season due to health concerns and is hopeful about returning before the end of the season. Also, San Antonio's most explosive playmaker, Anthony McFarland, has been ruled out this week with a left shoulder injury that forced him to leave last week's game early. McFarland is third in the league with 242 rushing yards. The Brahmas will also be without receivers Greg Ward Jr. (abdomen) and Mathew Sexton (hamstring). Arlington head coach Bob Stoops told reporters that Ballage, who exited the Renegades' game last week early, was placed on IR and is done for the season due to a separated shoulder that will require surgery. The Arizona State product is second in the league in rushing with 306 rushing yards and two scores. Ballage also has the longest rushing touchdown in UFL history, a 77-yard gallop for a score in Week 1. Arlington will lean on Dae Dae Hunter and De'Veon Smith to fill the void. Hunter is fifth in the UFL in rushing with 242 yards through six games. The Renegades also signed RB Tony Jones to replace Ballage on the depth chart. The Battlehawks waived Mims, a former second-round selection by the New York Jets in the 2020 NFL Draft, this week. The Baylor product totaled just five catches for 51 yards on seven targets through six games this season. With the extra roster spot, the Battlehawks brought back receiver Sam Wiglusz out of Ohio. Elsewhere, the Brahmas waived offensive lineman Greg Eiland this week, while the Roughnecks signed tight end Cam Sutton. San Antonio also executed a trade this week, picking up receiver Dee Anderson from the Showboats in exchange for cornerback Darius Phillips. In other roster news, Defenders leading sack man Andre Mintze (4.5 sacks) is out this week with a head injury. Birmingham has started three different quarterbacks so far this season and has played four over six games. With the team's top two signal callers — Alex McGough (shoulder) and Matt Corral (hip) — out again this week, head coach Skip Holtz added some much-needed depth to the position, signing Morton. The Prairie View A&M product had been playing arena football for the Southwest Kansas Storm, where he finished with 1,335 passing yards, 285 rushing yards and 34 total touchdowns. Morton is familiar with Birmingham's scheme, having served as McGough's backup during the team's legacy USFL championship run in 2023. Holtz said there's a chance that McGough could return next week, while Corral is likely out until the end of the regular season but could be available if the Stallions make the playoffs. Case Cookus is expected to get his third start of the year for the Stallions. Cookus' backup, Andrew Peasley, suffered a knee injury and has not practiced this week, so J'Mar Smith would be No. 2 behind Cookus if Peasley isn't healthy. The UFL's leader with 5.5 sacks on the year, Taumoepenu earned an appropriate nickname from his teammates. "We just call him 'The Closer,'" fellow St. Louis edge rusher Chris Garrett said about his teammate this week. Taumoepenu helped shut the door on the Renegades last week, sacking Arlington QB Luis Perez and forcing a fumble that Garrett recovered to seal the victory. He finished with two sacks, two forced fumbles and five combined tackles, earning UFL Defensive Player of the Week honors. Taumoepenu, the 2023 XFL Defensive Player of the Year, has his sights on winning that award for the UFL this season. Panthers DE Breeland Speaks won the award last year, finishing with a league-high 9.5 sacks in the regular season. Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him at @eric_d_williams. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
