Shaw University will turn to former offensive coordinator Lamar Manigo to lead its football program.
The Bears announced Manigo’s hire on Tuesday morning. Manigo served in multiple roles at Shaw from 2016-21, including offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2018-21. He has spent the past three seasons as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Virginia State, overseeing one of the most productive offenses in the CIAA. Virginia State made the conference title game this past fall.
“We are happy to welcome Coach Lamar Manigo back to Shaw University,” George Knox, Shaw’s Director of Athletics, said in a press release. “His passion for the game, dedication to mentoring student-athletes, and commitment to excellence align perfectly with our vision for the football program. We are confident that he will lead the Bears to new heights.”
Shaw had originally hired former head coach Greg Ruffin to replace Adrian Jones in late December. But on New Year’s Day, the school announced that Ruffin had declined to move forward with the job because of health reasons. That initiated another search, which brought them back to another candidate with strong ties to the Raleigh Division II school.
Manigo will be formally introduced at a press conference on Jan. 21 at 11 a.m.
“I am honored and excited to return to Shaw University as head football coach,” Manigo in the school’s release. “This is a homecoming for me, and I look forward to working with our talented student-athletes to build a program that makes our university and alumni proud.”
Manigo is plenty familiar with the CIAA. He played quarterback for Bowie State from 2003-06, leading the Bulldogs to the 2005 conference title game. He was a team captain and Bowie’s offensive MVP in 2006, departing as the school’s leader in career passing yards and passing touchdowns.
Manigo got a Master’s from Prairie View A&M in Texas and served as a graduate assistant and receivers coach with the Panthers from 2007-10. He spent three seasons as an assistant at North Carolina Central (2011-13), then coached tight ends/fullbacks for Norfolk State in 2014.
Manigo arrived at Shaw in 2016. The 2019 Bears offense averaged more than 360 yards per game, and quarterback Torrin Campbell was among the CIAA leaders in passing. In 2021, the Bears led the CIAA in rushing (184.6 yards per game), and with running back Sidney Gibbs garnering first-team all-conference.
Virginia State averaged 30.5 points and 416.6 yards per game in Manigo’s first season as OC in 2022. The Trojans put up 37.4 ppg and averaged 424.3 ypg on the way to an 8-2 record in 2023.
This past season, Virginia State went 7-4 and made the CIAA title game behind an offense that averaged 30.4 points and 381.0 yards per contest.
More Coaching Carousel Headlines from NC Football News
- Shaw football hires Lamar Manigo to be head coach
Manigo most recently served as assistant head coach and OC at Virginia State - Adrian Jones Aims to Wake the Echoes at Elizabeth City State
Vikings, seeking first winning season since 2012, bring in CIAA veteran to lead football program - Shaw Football: Ruffin Declines Head Coaching Job Due To Health Concerns
Ruffin was set to replace Adrian Jones as leader of the D2 Shaw Bears of the CIAA - Greg Ruffin Returns to Shaw University as Head Football Coach
Ruffin helped restart the Bears’ program in 2002, replaces Adrian Jones - New Davidson football coach Saj Thakkar: ‘We will win here’
One of the youngest coaches in Division I takes helm of Wildcats program
