| Bob Shoop |
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 | Position:
Defensive Coordinator / Safeties Coach
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| Alma Mater:
Yale, 1988
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Former William & Mary defensive coordinator Bob Shoop will join the Vanderbilt Commodores as defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
A veteran of 23 years in the coaching ranks, Shoop brought much needed stability in the William & Mary position. The former head coach at Columbia University guided a remarkable transformation of the defense during his four years on campus. In 2010, the unit ranked among the top defenses in the Division I playoff subdivision, limiting opponents to just 16.7 points per game. In 2009, Shoop's defense helped key one of the finest Tribe series in many years, an 11-3 campaign that ended with an appearance in the NCAA Football Championship Series (FCS) national semifinals. The season also included road wins over Virginia and No. 1-ranked FCS foe Southern Illinois.
The 2009 William & Mary defense, paced by All-Americans Sean Lissemore and Adrian Tracy, was one of the best in school history. It ended the year tops in the nation in rush defense, allowing just 61.1 yards per game, and second nationally in total defense (229.8 ypg) and scoring defense (12.1 ppg.). Additionally, the W&M defense limited third down conversions to 28.1%, and forced 27 turnovers.
Shoop's effort earned him the honor of being named as the 2009 FootballScoop NCAA FCS Coordinator of the Year.
Shoop's résumé spans two decades as a Division I coach, including three separate stints as a defensive coordinator (Yale, 1994-96; Villanova, 1997; William & Mary, 2007-10) and three years of head coaching experience (Columbia, 2003-05).
In addition to the William & Mary team successes, Shoop's players have earned a wealth of individual honors. Besides Lissemore and Tracy, he also mentored Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Rookie of the Year cornerback B.W. Webb. Additionally, he has developed cornerback Derek Cox, a 2009 NFL third-round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and 2010 Indianapolis Colts free agent safety David Caldwell.
Shoop's most recent position prior to joining William & Mary was at the University of Massachusetts, where he worked with the Minutemen's defensive backfield and helped the squad to an appearance in the NCAA Division I-AA Championship game in 2006.
Prior to his season in Amherst, Shoop headed the Columbia football program for three seasons and produced 20 All-Ivy League selections during his tenure. In 2005, he led the program to its first 2-0 start since 1996, a feat accomplished just three times in the previous 50 years. He ended his time with the Lions with a 7-23 mark. In his first season with the Lions (2003), he led Columbia to a 4-6 record, its best since 1998.
Prior to Columbia, he served as defensive secondary coach at Boston College for four years from 1999-2002. Shoop played a major role in the Eagles' success, including bowl victories in three of his four seasons. Shoop's secondary was a key cog in BC's 9-4 record and Motor City Bowl victory in 2002, as the Eagles ranked 13th in the nation in passing defense and 17th in pass efficiency defense.
Shoop also had Ivy League experience as an assistant coach at Yale (1989 and 1994-96) under legendary Hall of Fame coach Carmen Cozza. He also has served stints as an assistant coach at Army (1998), Villanova, where he was defensive coordinator for the 12-1 1997 squad, and Northeastern (1991-93).
Shoop played collegiate football at Yale. He earned honorable mention All-Ivy accolades in 1987 as a wide receiver and was recognized with Yale Football's prestigious Robert Gardner Anderson Memorial Award for team spirit, dedication and leadership. He also earned four letters on the Yale baseball team, served as its captain, and twice was recognized as the team's most outstanding pitcher. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in economics from the university in 1988.
Shoop is a native of Oakmont, Pa., near Pittsburgh. He was inducted into the Allegheny-Kiski Valley Sports Hall of Fame last summer.
He and his wife, Maura, have two children, Tyler and Jay. His brother John is the offensive coordinator at the University of North Carolina.
The Shoop File
Personal
Date of Birth: Aug. 18, 1966
Hometown: Oakmont, Pa.
Alma Mater: Yale (1988)
Education: Bachelor of Arts, economics, Yale (1988)
Family: wife, Maura; two sons, Tyler and Jay
Shoop's Coaching Career
2007-10 - William & Mary (defensive coordinator, secondary)
2006 - University of Massachusetts (defensive backs)
2003-05 - Columbia (head coach)
1999-2002 - Boston College (defensive secondary)
1998 - Army (defensive secondary)
1997 - Villanova (defensive coordinator)
1994-96 - Yale (defensive coordinator)
1991-93 - Northeastern (defensive backs)
1990 - Virginia (graduate assistant)
1989 - Yale (graduate assistant)
