Shaw U Names Gregory Ruffin Head Football Coach

Raleigh, NC - Shaw University President Dr. Talbert Shaw announced today that Gregory Ruffin has been named Head Football coach.

"I am pleased to announce today the employment of Mr. Gregory Ruffin as head football coach. We are very much impressed by the experience Mr. Ruffin brings to this position. This is one of the first steps Shaw has taken to ensure the reintroduction of football to Shaw and we know that football returning to Shaw will strengthen the University's athletic program," stated Dr. Shaw.

Ruffin, a 1997 graduate of Lane College served this past season as Offensive Coordinator and Quarterback Coach at Benedict College (Columbia, SC). He helped guide the Tigers to a 5-5 finish last season. Prior to Benedict, he served as Co-Offensive Coodinator/Wide Receivers Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Lincoln University (MO). During his two years at Lincoln the Blue Tigers were 3-3 in 1999 and 3-6 in 2000. Ruffin served on the staff at his alma mater for one season (1998) as Wide Receivers Coach and Recruiting Coordinator and helped them to a 3-6 finish. Lane, Benedict and Lincoln are schools that have resurrected their football programs over the past 10 years.

"After having been involved with three programs that revamped football, I feel the commitment that Shaw University is making towards football is heads up above what I have encountered in the past," stated Ruffin. After graduation, Ruffin began his coaching career at Kemper Military Junior College (Boonville, MO) coaching the running backs and special teams in 1997. That year Kemper finished 10-2 and was ranked 7th in the country.

While in college, Ruffin was a four year starter. He played collegiately at Wentworth Military JR. College as a freshman at the quarterback and tailback position and transferred to Lane College in 1993. He started at the fullback position and was in the same backfield with the late Fred Lane Jr. who had a successful NFL career as a Carolina Panther.

"The commitment and the spirit here at Shaw is astronomical and the staff and I are looking forward to putting a product on the field that alumni and Raleigh fans will be proud of," concluded Ruffin.

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