Scott Shafer - Football Coach - Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

Scott Shafer

Title:
Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
Email:
scott.shafer@mtsu.edu
Phone:
898-2926

Updated February 2023

Scott Shafer, regarded as one of the top defensive minds in college football, is in his seventh season on Rick Stockstill’s staff as defensive coordinator. Shafer was out of football in 2016, but prior to that season spent seven years at Syracuse, including the final three as head coach.

COACHING HIGHLIGHTS:
At Middle Tennessee, defensive coordinator/safeties (2017-present)
• Date Hired: Jan. 20, 2017
• Recruiting Area: Nationally for defense, spot recruit top defensive players, Northeast Tennessee, South Florida
• Has coached 67 all-conference performers and five all-American’s during his coaching career
• In 2022, the defense was its normal disruptive self. The unit ranked second in interceptions, third in turnovers gained, fourth nationally in redzone defense, fourth in defensive touchdowns, 23rd in rushing defense, 24th in sacks, and 24^th in TFLs
• Also in 2022, DE Jordan Ferguson earned First Team All-CUSA honors (and Hawaii Bowl MVP) while CB Teldrick Ross was on the second team. CB Decorian Patterson led the nation in interceptions and Ferguson was 17^th in tackles for loss
• In 2021, the Blue Raider defense led the nation in turnovers gained (32) and defensive touchdowns (6) while ranking 5^th in interceptions and 29^th in tackles for loss. Reed Blankenship was third nationally in fumbles recovered, Quincy Riley ranked 4^th in interceptions and DQ Thomas was 9^th in tackles for loss
• Team ranked third in CUSA with eight interceptions and tied for third in turnovers forced in nine games in 2020
• Safety Greg Grate tied for the CUSA lead and was tied for eighth nationally with four INTs and led CUSA with three forced fumbles in 2020
• Under his tutelage, safety Jovante Moffatt became just the eighth player in school history to top 300 career tackles in 2019
• Safety Reed Blankenship, a four-time All-CUSA performer and the programs all-time leading tackler, was named the second Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week in program history in 2018 Week 9. In 2022, DE Zaylin Wood also won the award.
• In 2018, the Blue Raider defense was nationally ranked sixth in defensive TDs, 16th in INTs, 40^th in sacks, 12^th in fourth-down conversion percentage, 29^th in red zone defense and 20th in turnovers gained
• Unit ranked 35^th nationally in total defense in 2017 and was one of the most-improved defenses in the country. Also ranked 30^th in rush defense and 16^th in tackles for loss

At Syracuse, head coach (2013-15)
• Led program into the ACC
• Team went 7-6 in 2013 and won the Texas Bowl over Minnesota to become just the second coach in school history to win a bowl game in first year
• Team had a 973 APR (2014-15)

At Syracuse, defensive coordinator (2009-12)
• Defense ranked 6^th nationally in 2012 as team won the Pinstripe Bowl and were crowned co-champs of the Big East
• Was a 2012 Broyles Award/Assistant Coach of the Year nominee
• In 2011 he coached First Round draft pick Chandler Jones and Freshman All-American Dyshawn Davis
• 2010 AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year nominee and a Broyles Award/Assistant Coach of the Year nominee
• Team ranked 7^th nationally in total defense in 2010 and 28^th in sacks. Also led the Big East in pass defense while ranking second in total defense

At Michigan, defensive coordinator (2008)
• Coached All-Big Ten selection Brandon Graham

At Stanford, defensive coordinator (2007)
• Team improved in every defensive statistic and won at No. 1 ranked USC
• Unit registered the first shutout at Stanford since 1996

At Western Michigan, defensive coordinator/secondary (2005-06)
• Team played in the 2007 International Bowl after going 8-4 and winning at Virginia
• Produced second team all-American and MAC Defensive Player of the Year (Ameer Ismail)
• 2006 Broyles Award/Assistant Coach of the Year nominee
• Unit led nation in interceptions (24) and sacks (46) while ranking 11^th in total defense in 2006
• 2006 unit also led the MAC in interceptions, turnover margin, sacks, run defense, total defense and opponent 3^rd down conversions

At Illinois, secondary (2004)
• Coached Kelvin Hayden who played 10 years in the NFL and won a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts
• Also coached Alan Ball who played nine years in the NFL after being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round

At Northern Illinois, defensive coordinator/secondary (1996-2003)
• Was DC from 2000-03 and team went 30-16 during that time and captured two MAC titles
• Team was ranked No. 12 in AP poll and had wins over No. 15 Maryland and No. 22 Alabama
• Unit ranked third nationally in 2003 with 23 interceptions
• 2003 MAC Rankings: Interceptions (1^st), Takeaways (2^nd), Scoring Defense (3^rd), Run Defense (3^rd) and pass efficiency defense (3^rd)
• 2002 MAC Rankings: Interceptions (1^st), Takeaways (1st), Scoring Defense (1st), Run Defense (1st) and run defense (1st)

COACHING EXPERIENCE:
• 1991-92: Indiana (grad assistant)
• 1993-95: Rhode Island (secondary)
• 1996-2003: Northern Illinois (defensive coordinator/db)
• 2004: Illinois (secondary)
• 2005-06: Western Michigan (defensive coordinator/db)
• 2007: Stanford (assistant head coach/defensive coordinator)
• 2008: Michigan (defensive coordinator)
• 2009-12: Syracuse (defensive coordinator)
• 2013-15: Syracuse (head coach)
• 2017-Present: Middle Tennessee (defensive coordinator)

Personal
• Birthdate: Jan. 6, 1967
• Hometown: Painesville, Ohio
• Wife: Missy
• Children: Wolfgang and Elsa

Education
• High School: Riverside HS in Painesville, OH
• College: Baldwin Wallace, B.S. in Education, 1990; Indiana, Masters in Education, 1993

Playing Experience (QB)
• Ohio University, 1985
• Baldwin-Wallace, 1986-90
• Team captain and ranked 17^th nationally in passing efficiency

Bowl Experience
• 1991: Copper Bowl (coach)
• 2006: International Bowl (coach)
• 2010: New Era Pinstripe Bowl (coach)
• 2012: New Era Pinstripe Bowl (coach)
• 2013: Texas Bowl (coach)
• 2017: Camellia Bowl (coach)
• 2018: R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (coach)
• 2021: Bahamas Bowl (coach)
• 2022: Hawai’i Bowl (coach)