HBCU’s Shannon Harris is doing what no coach has done before

HBCU’s Shannon Harris is doing what no coach has done before originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Before the lights glared in his direction, before the championship trophy, before the dual job titles, Shannon Harris was just a backup QB trying to make the most of his reps at South Carolina State. Now, he’s the first head coach in U.S. professional football history, at any level, to win a championship and hold a full-time HBCU staff role at the same time.

And he’s not slowing down.

In a move that stunned both college and pro football circles, Harris has been officially named head coach of the DC Defenders, less than two weeks after being introduced as Tennessee State’s co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

At 44, he’s attempting something few have even dared to try: coaching both sides of the game, college and pro, without sacrificing either.

That’s not just rare. That’s unheard of.

A Championship Built on Trust

This spring, the DC Defenders were staring at uncertainty. Reggie Barlow, their head coach and architect of the 2024 team, left days before the season to take over at Tennessee State. That decision cracked open the door for Harris, who had been Barlow’s offensive assistant.

The timing? Brutal. Expectations? High. The window? Tiny.

But Harris took control and turned chaos into cohesion. The Defenders went 6-4 in the regular season, good, but not flashy. The playoffs, though, were a different story. They dismantled St. Louis in the XFL Conference Championship. Then, they dropped 58 points on Michigan in the UFL title game.

That wasn’t just a win. That was a statement.

DC had gone from a team with a missing coach to the most dominant team in the league, under Harris’ leadership.

Officially Official.

Shannon Harris has been named Head Coach for the DC Defenders! pic.twitter.com/pk9AohTzE9

— D.C. Defenders (@XFLDefenders) July 23, 2025

More Than a Trophy

Harris didn’t just win. He made history.

He became the first HBCU alumnus to coach a pro team to a professional title. His efforts earned him the 2025 UFL Buddy Teevens Coach of the Year Award.

That would be enough for most coaches. But Harris wasn’t done.

Instead of sticking exclusively to pro football, he embraced his roots, choosing to help mold the next generation of HBCU athletes at Tennessee State.

That decision drew praise and questions in equal measure.

Two Jobs. One Goal.

While some wondered whether Harris would step away from the Defenders, he quickly cleared the air.

He’s doing both.

In 2026, he’ll return to D.C. to defend his UFL crown. But through the fall, he’ll remain fully active on the Tigers’ sideline as they prep for OVC play. That means designing game plans, coaching quarterbacks, and helping call plays on Saturdays, then heading into pro personnel meetings just months later.

It’s a workload most coaches wouldn’t accept. Harris sees it as a responsibility.

A Win for HBCUs And Representation

There’s something bigger than wins and losses going on here.

For decades, HBCU programs have been talent pipelines, often overlooked but consistently producing elite players and coaches. Harris’ success, both in the UFL and now at TSU, brings national visibility to that talent.

The message? HBCU coaches don’t need validation. They just need opportunity.

And Harris is proving what happens when they get it.

From South Carolina State to the UFL sideline, Harris’ rise mirrors the story of many HBCU grads: overlooked early, underestimated often, and driven beyond measure.

Now, as one of the few coaches working across two different levels of the sport, he’s showcasing the caliber of leadership HBCU programs can produce, not just for Saturdays, but for Sundays too.

Inside TSU’s Gamble and Why It’s Worth It

When Tennessee State brought in Reggie Barlow, it was a bold hire. But the move opened the door for an even more ambitious follow-up: bringing in his protégé.

Harris, a former quarterback and assistant coach with stops across smaller programs, brings more than fresh ideas. He brings recent wins. Pro-level poise. And instant credibility.

TSU hasn’t won an OVC title since 1998. Harris knows what long droughts feel like, and what it takes to end them.

By betting on a dual-role coach, the Tigers aren’t just hiring for the present. They’re making a bet on the future.

And if Harris can replicate even a fraction of his UFL success at the college level, that bet could pay off big.

What Comes Next

The question now isn’t whether Harris can juggle both jobs. He already is.

The question is how high he can take each program.

TSU opens its 2025 season with matchups against Alabama A&M and Southern University, two fierce rivals in the HBCU circuit. Meanwhile, the DC Defenders begin their title defense next spring.

That leaves Harris with no offseason and little downtime. But he says he prefers it that way.

His challenge is less about time and more about trust: trusting his staff at each level, and earning the trust of every player he leads.

For Harris, coaching isn’t about one program, one title, or one level. It’s about the impact. And right now, that impact is stretching from Nashville to the nation’s capital.

Related: Alabama State Baseball Turns Heads With One-of-a-Kind Hornets Nest Vibe (Exclusive)

Final Whistle

Shannon Harris is doing what few in football have ever done.

He’s shaping future pros at TSU while leading champions in D.C. And in both locker rooms, he’s building something bigger than a season.

He’s building belief, one huddle at a time.

Related: Why HBCU Athletics Matter Now More Than Ever

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.