Sam Shade facts for kids

Samuel Richard Shade (born June 14, 1973) is a well-known American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach for Alabama A&M University. Before becoming a coach, he played for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

Sam Shade played as a safety for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Washington Redskins. He also played college football at the University of Alabama. He was chosen by an NFL team in the fourth round of the 1995 NFL draft.

Sam Shade's Playing Career

Sam Shade had a successful career playing football. He was a strong safety, which is a defensive position in football. He played for two different teams in the NFL.

Playing for the Cincinnati Bengals

Sam Shade started his NFL journey with the Cincinnati Bengals. He played for them from 1995 to 1998. During his time with the Bengals, he showed his skills as a defensive player.

Playing for the Washington Redskins

After playing for the Bengals, Sam Shade joined the Washington Redskins. He played for the Redskins from 1999 to 2002. He continued to be a key player on defense for them.

Key Achievements as a Player

Sam Shade achieved some great things during his playing days. He was part of the 1992 Alabama Crimson Tide football team that won a National Championship. This is a huge honor in college football. He was also named Second-team All-SEC in 1994, which means he was one of the best players in his college conference.

Sam Shade's Coaching Journey

After his playing career, Sam Shade became a football coach. He has coached at different levels, from high school to college and even in the NFL.

Coaching at Samford University

From 2009 to 2015, Sam Shade worked at Samford University. He was the special teams and defensive passing game coordinator. In this role, he helped train young players who later went on to play in the NFL. Some of these players include Corey White, Jaquiski Tartt, and James Bradberry.

Coaching at Georgia State University

In 2016, Sam Shade joined the coaching staff at Georgia State University. He became the cornerbacks coach, helping defensive players improve their skills.

Coaching in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns

In 2018, Sam Shade got a chance to coach in the NFL. He became an assistant special teams coach for the Cleveland Browns. This was an important step in his coaching career.

Coaching High School Football

Sam Shade also coached high school football. In 2020, he became the head coach at Pinson Valley High School. In his first year there, he led the team to a fantastic 12–2 season. They even won the state championship!

Leading the Miles Golden Bears

In 2022, Sam Shade was named the head football coach for Miles College. He led the Miles Golden Bears for three seasons. Under his leadership, the team had a successful 2024 season, winning their conference championship.

Becoming Head Coach at Alabama A&M

On December 29, 2024, Sam Shade was hired as the head football coach for Alabama A&M University. He is the 22nd head coach in the history of their football program.

Head Coaching Record

Sam Shade's coaching record shows his success as a head coach in college football.

Miles Golden Bears Coaching Record

• 2022 Season: 1 win, 9 losses (1–6 in conference)
• 2023 Season: 7 wins, 3 losses (6–2 in conference)
• 2024 Season: 10 wins, 3 losses (8–0 in conference)
  • Won the conference championship.
  • Reached the NCAA Division II Second Round playoffs.
• Overall Record at Miles: 18 wins, 15 losses

Alabama A&M Bulldogs Coaching Record

• 2025 Season: Sam Shade began his role as head coach for Alabama A&M in 2025.

External Links

• Miles profile