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Bob Shoop
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
Bob Shoop (born August 18, 1966) is an American football coach who is currently a senior defensive analyst at Vanderbilt. He served as the defensive coordinator there from 2011 to 2013, also having served as defensive coordinator at Mississippi State, Tennessee, and Penn State. Shoop served as the head football coach at Columbia University from 2003 to 2005.
Key Information
Shoop played for Yale and professionally in the British League BAFA National Leagues in 1988 and 1989.
Playing career
[edit]Shoop is a 1988 graduate of Yale University and both played and coached under Carmen Cozza. In his senior year, he was an honorable mention selection to the 1987 All-Ivy League team.
In 1988, and the early part of 1989, Shoop played professionally in the United Kingdom for the Birmingham Bulls.[1]
Shoop pitched for the Yale Bulldogs baseball team. He earned four varsity letters and twice won the Raymond W. "Ducky" Pond Pitching Award for outstanding pitching.
Coaching career
[edit]He served as an assistant coach at Yale and as defensive coordinator from 1994 to 1996. He was hired by Tom O'Brien at Boston College in 1999.
In 2003, Shoop was hired by Columbia University with the hopes that he would turn around the struggling program. He was fired shortly after the end of the 2005 with a record of 7–23 in his three seasons with the team. His 2005 team went winless in the Ivy League and he never finished above 6th place.
From 2007 to 2010, Shoop served as the defensive coordinator at William & Mary. On January 31, 2011, he was named as the defensive coordinator for the Vanderbilt Commodores, under new head coach James Franklin.[2] He followed Franklin to Penn State to be in the same capacity for the beginning of the 2014 season.
On January 9, 2016, Shoop was announced as the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Volunteers.[3]
On December 10, 2017, Shoop was announced as the defensive coordinator for Mississippi State.[4]
On January 20, 2020, Shoop was named the new safeties coach for Michigan.[5]
On January 30, 2021, Shoop was hired by Miami to serve as an off-field defensive analyst.[6]
On December 6, 2021, Shoop was hired by Head Coach Jeff Scott to serve as the University of South Florida defensive coordinator. Following a 54-28 loss to Temple on November 5, 2022, Scott and Shoop were both relieved of their duties at South Florida.[7]
Personal
[edit]Bob's brother, John Shoop, is also a football coach, having had stints both at the collegiate level and with the NFL.
Head coaching record
[edit]| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Lions (Ivy League) (2003–2005) | |||||||||
| 2003 | Columbia | 4–6 | 3–4 | 6th | |||||
| 2004 | Columbia | 1–9 | 1–6 | T–7th | |||||
| 2005 | Columbia | 2–8 | 0–7 | 8th | |||||
| Columbia: | 7–23 | 4–17 | |||||||
| Total: | 7–23 | ||||||||
References
[edit]- ^ "Birmingham Bulls". Britballnow.co.uk.
- ^ Low, Chris (January 31, 2011). "Franklin announces defensive staff". ESPN.go.com. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
- ^ The Tennessean (January 9, 2016). "Vols name Bob Shoop defensive coordinator". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
- ^ "Joe Moorhead Announces Hiring of Bob Shoop, Marcus Johnson". HailState.com. Mississippi State University Athletics. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
- ^ "Jean-Mary, Shoop Added to Defensive Staff; Harbaugh Named Special Teams Coordinator". MGoBlue.com. Board of Regents of the University of Michigan. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
- ^ Rubenstein, Alan (January 29, 2021). "Miami football hiring longtime defensive coach Bob Shoop as analyst". Caneswarning.com. Fansided. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
- ^ Brice, John (November 6, 2022). "South Florida fires head coach Jeff Scott, the former Clemson star assistant". footballscoop.com. Football Scoop. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
External links
[edit]Bob Shoop
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Bob Shoop (born August 18, 1966) is an American college football coach known for his extensive career as a defensive coordinator and position coach across multiple programs, currently serving as a senior defensive analyst at Vanderbilt University.[1]
A native of Oakmont, Pennsylvania, Shoop excelled as a three-sport athlete at Riverview High School and was later inducted into the Allegheny-Kiski Valley Sports Hall of Fame. He attended Yale University, where he earned a B.A. in economics in 1988, and played as a wide receiver on the football team from 1985 to 1987, earning four varsity letters and receiving the Robert Gardner Anderson Memorial Award for team spirit, dedication, and leadership, while also starring in baseball as a pitcher and twice winning the Raymond W. "Ducky" Pond Pitching Award. After college, Shoop briefly played professional football for the Birmingham Bulls in the British American Football Association from 1988 to 1989.[1]
Shoop began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Yale in 1989, returning to the program as defensive backs coach and later defensive coordinator from 1994 to 1996 under Hall of Fame coach Carmen Cozza. His early roles included graduate assistant at Virginia (1990), defensive backs coach at Northeastern (1991–1993), defensive coordinator at Villanova (1997), and defensive backs coach at Army (1998) and Boston College (1999–2002). In 2003, he served as head coach at Columbia University for three seasons (2003–2005), compiling a 7–23 record. Subsequent positions included defensive backs coach at UMass (2006) and defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at William & Mary (2007–2010), where he led the team to two FCS playoff appearances.[1]
Shoop's prominence grew in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) starting in 2011 as defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Vanderbilt, where his units ranked in the top 25 nationally in total defense each of his three seasons (2011–2013), forcing 30 turnovers in 2013 (10th nationally) and helping the Commodores achieve nine wins and a bowl appearance in both 2012 and 2013. He then moved to Penn State as defensive coordinator and safeties coach (2014–2015), engineering top-15 national rankings in total defense both years, including second in 2014 (278.7 yards per game allowed) and a tie for the most sacks per game in 2015 (3.54). At Tennessee (2016–2017), his defenses ranked sixth nationally in passing yards allowed in 2017 (161.7 per game) and featured All-American defensive end Derek Barnett, who led the nation with 13 sacks in 2016. Shoop earned widespread acclaim at Mississippi State as defensive coordinator and safeties coach (2018–2019), guiding the 2018 unit to first in total defense (263.1 yards per game) and second in scoring defense (13.2 points per game), earning him a finalist nod for the Broyles Award and two-time Defensive Coordinator of the Year honors. During this period, he coached numerous NFL Draft picks across his stops, including two first-round selections from Mississippi State in 2019.[1]
Following stints as safeties coach at Michigan (2020), defensive analyst at Miami (Florida) (2021), and defensive coordinator and safeties coach at South Florida (2022), Shoop transitioned to the professional level as defensive backs coach for the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL (later UFL) in 2023, winning a championship with an 8–2 record. In 2024, he coached safeties at Marshall University, contributing to a 10–3 season, a Sun Belt Conference championship win (31–3 over Louisiana), and a 37th-place national ranking in passing defense (199.1 yards per game). Shoop returned to Vanderbilt in 2025 under head coach Clark Lea, bringing over 35 years of coaching experience to his role as senior defensive analyst. He is married to Maura Shoop and has two sons, Tyler and Jay.[1]
Shoop's conference winning percentage of .190 fell well below the Ivy League average of .500, reflecting the balanced nature of conference competition where each game produces one win and one loss across all eight teams.[67] As Ivy League teams do not participate in postseason bowl games, Shoop's squads made no bowl appearances during his tenure.[67]
Early life and education
Early years
Bob Shoop was born on August 18, 1966, in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, a small borough in Allegheny County located along the Allegheny River just northeast of Pittsburgh.[2] Oakmont's close-knit community fostered a strong emphasis on youth athletics, with local high school sports serving as a central part of town life and drawing widespread participation from residents.[3] Growing up in Oakmont, Shoop developed an early passion for sports alongside his younger brother John and middle brother Bill, often engaging in backyard pickup football games organized and coached by their father, nicknamed "Skipper."[4] The brothers idolized local college football stars, such as Pitt's Chris Doleman and Penn State's Curt Warner, whom they watched on television, which further ignited their enthusiasm for the game and decorated their rooms with Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers memorabilia.[4] This familial environment, influenced by their father's coaching involvement, laid the foundation for Shoop's lifelong dedication to athletics.[4] Shoop's initial interest in competitive sports blossomed during his high school years at Riverview High School, where he emerged as a three-sport standout in football, basketball, and baseball.[5] In football, he contributed to a productive program in a community passionate about the sport, while on the baseball diamond, he excelled as a left-handed pitcher, notably earning the win in Riverview's 1983 Class A state championship game.[6] His high school achievements were later recognized with induction into the Allegheny-Kiski Valley Sports Hall of Fame.[5]Yale University
Bob Shoop attended Yale University, where he majored in economics and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1988.[7] His time at Yale represented a pivotal period in his academic and athletic development, blending rigorous scholarly pursuits with competitive sports.[8] As a student-athlete, Shoop immersed himself in Yale's athletic programs, competing in both football and baseball. He played wide receiver on the football team under head coach Carmen Cozza and earned four varsity letters in baseball over his undergraduate career.[9] These experiences introduced him to the demands of Ivy League competition and fostered his early commitment to team-oriented athletics.[2] Shoop's contributions on the field were recognized with the Robert Gardner Anderson Memorial Award from Yale Football, honoring his exceptional team spirit, dedication, and leadership.[1] In his senior year, he also garnered an honorable mention All-Ivy League selection as a wide receiver, highlighting his skill and impact within the program.[10]Playing career
College football
Bob Shoop played wide receiver for the Yale Bulldogs football team from 1985 to 1987 under head coach Carmen Cozza.[1] As a possession receiver known for his reliable hands, Shoop contributed to the Bulldogs' Ivy League campaigns during a period of varying team success.[8] In his freshman season of 1985, Yale finished with a 4–4–1 overall record and 3–3–1 in Ivy League play, including a notable upset victory over Harvard in the finale.[11] Shoop saw action as part of the receiving corps in a balanced offense that showed promise but struggled with consistency. The following year, 1986, the Bulldogs endured a challenging 3–7 overall mark and 2–5 in the Ivy League, marked by close losses and offensive inconsistencies. Shoop's senior year in 1987 marked a turnaround for Yale, which achieved a 7–3 overall record and 5–2 Ivy League finish, securing a share of third place behind co-champions Harvard and Princeton.[12] He earned honorable mention All-Ivy honors for his contributions as a senior receiver.[13] One of his most memorable plays came in a pivotal Ivy League matchup against Penn on October 24, when Yale trailed 15–0 entering the fourth quarter but mounted a comeback; quarterback Mike Ryan connected with Shoop on a 32-yard touchdown pass with six seconds remaining, securing a 17–15 victory and boosting Yale's conference standing.[14] Shoop also received Yale's prestigious Robert Gardner Anderson Memorial Award that year, recognizing his team spirit, dedication, and leadership on the field.[7]Professional football
Following his college career at Yale, Bob Shoop pursued professional opportunities abroad to continue playing the sport he loved. In 1988 and the early part of 1989, he joined the Birmingham Bulls of the British American Football Association (BAFA) National Leagues, a semi-professional circuit that attracted a mix of local talent and American imports.[1] The Bulls experienced notable success during Shoop's time with the team. In 1988, they claimed the Budweiser League national championship—their first in that division—with a decisive 30–6 victory over the London Olympians in the final at Loftus Road, London, qualifying them as runners-up in the Eurobowl after a loss to the Amsterdam Crusaders. The following year, despite challenges, the Bulls reached the Budweiser Bowl again but fell 21–14 to the Manchester Spartans in the championship game.[15] Shoop's 1989 stint with the Bulls, which lasted about six months, highlighted the league's grassroots nature. The team relied heavily on British players balancing day jobs, often struggling to field complete lineups for practices and games. At age 24, Shoop took on extensive leadership duties beyond playing, effectively managing team logistics, scouting, and fundraising in the under-resourced environment. He later reflected on the experience as fulfilling, stating it was "really neat" and precisely what he sought at the time, even while calling the league a "bullcrap league."[8] Shoop's decision to play overseas stemmed from his passion for football and a desire to extend his involvement post-college, as domestic professional options proved limited. The overseas chapter ended after early 1989, concluding his brief professional playing career.[8]College baseball
Shoop served as a pitcher for the Yale Bulldogs baseball team from 1985 to 1988, earning four varsity letters during his collegiate career.[1] As a freshman in 1985, he appeared in relief during an Ivy League doubleheader against Columbia, pitching one-third of an inning scorelessly with one strikeout.[16] By his sophomore year in 1986, Shoop had emerged as a starter, posting a 5-2 record that season, including four complete games; one notable performance came in a win over Harvard, where he limited the Crimson to four hits in the opener.[17] In 1987, Shoop was part of Yale's pitching rotation alongside teammates like Adam Scheirholz and Ray Romero, contributing to the team's efforts in a season highlighted by strong staff depth.[18] He also captained the Bulldogs baseball team that year, demonstrating leadership on the diamond while balancing his dual-sport commitments.[19] As a senior in 1988, Shoop received honorable mention recognition as a pitcher in the Ivy League.[20] Shoop's standout achievements included winning the Raymond W. "Ducky" Pond Pitching Award twice, recognizing him as Yale's most outstanding pitcher for his consistency and impact on the mound.[1] These honors underscored his role as a reliable contributor to the Bulldogs' pitching staff throughout his tenure.[13]Coaching career
Early assistant roles
Shoop began his coaching career in 1989 as a graduate assistant at Yale University, his alma mater, where he supported head coach Carmen Cozza with scouting, film breakdown, and practice organization.[7] The following year, in 1990, he served in a similar graduate assistant role at the University of Virginia under head coach George Welsh, focusing on offensive and defensive preparations.[2] In 1991, Shoop transitioned to a full-time position as defensive backs coach at Northeastern University, marking his entry into specialized defensive coaching despite having limited prior experience on that side of the ball.[8] Over three seasons (1991–1993), he coached the secondary for teams that posted records of 4–7, 5–5–1, and 2–9, respectively, emphasizing coverage techniques and pass defense fundamentals in the program's independent and early Yankee Conference era. This role honed his skills in player development and secondary schemes, setting the stage for greater responsibilities. Shoop returned to Yale in 1994 as defensive coordinator, a position he held through 1996 under Cozza, overseeing the entire defensive unit including scheme design, blitz packages, and game planning.[13] The Bulldogs achieved overall records of 5–5 in 1994, 3–7 in 1995, and 5–5 in 1996, with moderate success in Ivy League play amid a transitional period for the program. In 1997, he advanced to defensive coordinator at Villanova University, where his unit contributed to a standout 12–1 season, including an undefeated 8–0 Atlantic 10 record and an NCAA Division I-AA playoff appearance, highlighting his ability to implement aggressive, disciplined defenses.[13] Shoop's progression continued in 1998 as secondary coach at the United States Military Academy (Army), where he focused on defensive back development for a 3–8 team in Conference USA. He then joined Boston College in 1999 as defensive backs coach under Tom O'Brien, a role he maintained through 2002, coaching secondaries that supported overall records of 8–4 (1999), 5–6 (2000), 8–4 (2001), and 9–4 (2002), including three bowl berths (Aloha Bowl in 1999, GMAC Bowl in 2001, and Motor City Bowl in 2002).[13][21][22][23] During this period, his units emphasized stout run defenses and opportunistic play, ranking respectably in Big East passing yards allowed, such as 21st nationally in 2002 with 195.3 yards per game.[23]Head coaching at Columbia
Bob Shoop was hired as the head football coach at Columbia University in January 2003, becoming the youngest head coach in the Ivy League at age 36 after serving as defensive backs coach at Boston College.[24][25] Shoop's hiring followed a nationwide search to replace Ray Tellier, with the goal of revitalizing a program that had struggled, posting a 1-9 record in 2002.[26] His coaching philosophy centered on a "no excuses" approach, emphasizing accountability, discipline, and competing at the highest level within the Ivy League's academic constraints, as he stressed during interviews that players must embrace rigorous standards without rationalizing shortcomings.[8] In his first season in 2003, Shoop led the Lions to a 4-6 overall record and 3-4 in Ivy League play, finishing sixth in the conference and marking an improvement from the previous year's winless Ivy campaign.[27] Highlights included a 16-13 upset victory over then-No. 23 Harvard, Columbia's first win against a ranked opponent in over a decade.[28] The 2004 season brought challenges, with the team finishing 1-9 overall and 1-6 in the Ivy League, tying for seventh place amid injuries and inconsistent performance.[29] Shoop's tenure concluded in 2005 with a 2-8 record and an 0-7 Ivy League mark, placing last in the conference after early non-conference wins gave way to a late-season collapse. Shoop prioritized recruiting academically qualified student-athletes who could thrive in Columbia's demanding environment, adapting his methods from prior roles to target prospects committed to Ivy ideals while building depth for long-term competitiveness.[8] His first recruiting class began contributing as juniors by 2005, providing greater lineup stability, particularly on the offensive line.[30] Notable players under Shoop included senior defensive back Rashad Biggers, a team captain and multiple-time All-Ivy selection who anchored the secondary.[31] During his three seasons, the program earned 20 All-Ivy League selections, reflecting individual successes amid team struggles.[13] Shoop departed Columbia after the 2005 season when he was fired on November 20, one day after a 52-21 loss to Brown that capped the winless Ivy campaign, with athletic director John Reeves citing the overall 7-23 record and 4-17 Ivy mark as insufficient progress for the program's turnaround.[29][32]Defensive coordinator positions
Shoop began his ascent in defensive coordination with a stint as defensive backs coach at the University of Massachusetts in 2006, where he contributed to a unit that helped the Minutemen transition to the Football Championship Subdivision.[13] In 2007, he was promoted to defensive coordinator at William & Mary, serving through 2010 and implementing an aggressive scheme that emphasized turnovers and quarterback pressure. Under Shoop, the Tribe's defense improved markedly after a challenging debut season, culminating in a 2009 campaign where he earned the FootballScoop FCS Defensive Coordinator of the Year award for leading one of the nation's top units in the Football Championship Subdivision.[33] The 2010 William & Mary defense ranked among the CAA leaders in scoring defense and interceptions, propelling the team to the NCAA Division I playoffs. Although not eligible for FBS bowls as an FCS program, Shoop's tenure included two playoff appearances, showcasing his ability to build versatile defenses capable of postseason success.[34] In 2011, Shoop joined Vanderbilt as defensive coordinator and safeties coach, directing a 4-3 base scheme that transformed the Commodores into an SEC contender. His defenses consistently ranked in the top 25 nationally in total yards allowed: 18th in 2011 (330.3 yards per game), 19th in 2012 (343.8 yards per game), and 23rd in 2013 (359.2 yards per game).[35] Shoop's units excelled in pass defense and red-zone efficiency, limiting opponents to under 30 points per game on average during his tenure. This defensive resurgence supported Vanderbilt's first three consecutive bowl appearances since 1955, including the 2012 Music City Bowl victory over North Carolina State and the 2013 BBVA Compass Bowl against Houston.[1] Shoop moved to Penn State in 2014 as defensive coordinator and safeties coach, inheriting a unit hampered by NCAA sanctions and engineering a rapid turnaround with a multiple-front 4-3 scheme focused on run stops and third-down disruptions. In 2014, Penn State's defense ranked second nationally in total defense (278.7 yards per game) and seventh in scoring defense (16.9 points per game), while allowing just 100.5 rushing yards per contest (third nationally).[36] For his efforts, Shoop was named 247Sports Defensive Coordinator of the Year and nominated for the Broyles Award.[10] The 2015 defense maintained momentum, ranking 15th in total defense (324.3 yards per game), 10th in passing defense (174.5 yards per game), and tying for first nationally in sacks per game (3.54).[7] Shoop's strategies contributed to Penn State's first two bowl berths under head coach James Franklin, including the 2014 Pinstripe Bowl win over Boston College and the 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl appearance against Arkansas.[37] At Tennessee from 2016 to 2017, Shoop coordinated a defense that initially built on his aggressive blitz packages but faced challenges from injuries and offensive inconsistencies. The 2016 Volunteers ranked 16th nationally in total defense (351.5 yards per game) and fifth in the SEC, supporting a 9-4 season and a Music City Bowl berth where they defeated Nebraska.[38] In 2017, despite a drop to 95th in total defense (426.8 yards per game), the unit ranked sixth nationally in passing defense (161.7 yards per game), highlighting Shoop's emphasis on secondary coverage in a 4-3 alignment.[34] Tennessee finished 4-8 that year, missing a bowl for the first time in three seasons under Shoop's oversight. Shoop concluded this period as defensive coordinator at Mississippi State from 2018 to 2019, shifting the Bulldogs to a 4-3 base scheme that maximized front-seven pressure. In 2018, his defense led the SEC and ranked 10th nationally in sacks (3.0 per game) and eighth in tackles for loss (7.9 per game), while finishing second in scoring defense (13.2 points per game) and first in total defense (263.1 yards per game) en route to an 8-5 record, Gator Bowl victory over Illinois, and the FootballScoop Defensive Coordinator of the Year award for Shoop, earning him a Broyles Award finalist nod.[2] The 2019 defense regressed amid personnel losses, ranking 68th nationally in total defense (390.5 yards per game), but still secured an Outback Bowl appearance against Kentucky.[39] Across his defensive coordinator roles from 2007 to 2019, Shoop's teams participated in 10 bowl or playoff games, underscoring his impact on program elevations at multiple levels.[34]Recent assistant roles
Following his tenure as defensive coordinator at Mississippi State, Shoop joined the University of Michigan as safeties coach in January 2020.[40] However, he transitioned to remote duties in September 2020 due to personal circumstances, limiting his on-field involvement during Michigan's COVID-19-shortened 2-4 season, where the defense ranked 57th nationally in total yards allowed (396.5 per game).[41] This shift reflected broader program adjustments amid the pandemic, prompting Shoop to seek an off-field role the following year. In February 2021, Shoop moved to the University of Miami as defensive quality control coach, focusing on advance scouting, game planning, and personnel evaluation to support head coach Manny Diaz's staff.[42] His analytical expertise impressed players and contributed to a unit that ranked 35th in total defense (359.8 yards per game), helping Miami achieve a 7-5 record and a bowl appearance.[43] The role allowed Shoop to leverage his prior coordinator experience in a specialized capacity, aiding defensive development without full on-field responsibilities, as Diaz rebuilt the secondary. Shoop returned to a full defensive coordinator position in December 2021 at the University of South Florida, also coaching safeties under head coach Jeff Scott.[34] He implemented an aggressive, blitz-oriented scheme aimed at revitalizing a defense that had ranked last in the AAC in sacks the prior year.[44] Despite early promise, including 63 tackles and two sacks in a competitive effort against No. 21 Cincinnati, the unit struggled overall, allowing 36.3 points per game en route to a 2-10 season.[45] Shoop and Scott were relieved of duties in November 2022 after a 1-9 start, amid a broader program transition to new leadership and roster turnover.[46] Seeking professional-level experience, Shoop joined the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL in March 2023 as defensive backs coach under head coach Skip Holtz.[47] His guidance helped anchor a secondary that supported the league's top regular-season record of 8-2, culminating in a USFL championship victory over the Pittsburgh Maulers.[1] The move provided Shoop an opportunity to apply his college-honed techniques in a compact professional setting, contributing to a defense that limited opponents to under 20 points per game on average during the playoffs. In January 2024, Shoop was hired by Marshall University as safeties coach, later promoted to assistant head coach in June.[48] Under head coach Charles Huff, he developed a secondary that played a key role in Marshall's 10-3 overall record and 7-1 Sun Belt Conference mark, including a conference championship game appearance and a bowl win.[1] The Thundering Herd ranked 42nd nationally in scoring defense (22.5 points per game), with Shoop's unit excelling in coverage and run support, as evidenced by two All-Sun Belt selections at safety.[1] This success stemmed from Shoop's emphasis on aggressive play-calling tailored to personnel, boosting a program transitioning to Group of Five competitiveness. In February 2025, Vanderbilt University hired Shoop as senior defensive analyst under head coach Clark Lea, marking his return to the program where he previously served as defensive coordinator from 2011 to 2013.[9] The off-field role, enabled by recent NCAA rules allowing analysts on-field coaching duties, was designed to infuse Lea's staff with Shoop's 35+ years of expertise in scheme design and player development without recruiting demands.[49] As of November 2025, Shoop's contributions have focused on enhancing Vanderbilt's returning core of tacklers, supporting a defense aiming to improve on its 2024 performance amid ongoing SEC challenges.[9]Personal life
Family background
Bob Shoop is married to Maura Shoop.[13][1] The couple has two sons, Tyler and Jay.[13][34][50] Shoop's brother, John Shoop, has built a notable career as a football coach at both the college and professional levels. John served as offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears from 2001 to 2003, after earlier roles as quarterbacks coach with the team, and held similar positions with the Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Oakland Raiders.[51] In college, he worked as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at institutions including North Carolina (2007–2011) and Purdue (2013–2015). Since 2015, John has coached in Europe, becoming head coach of the Nordic Storm in 2024.[51][52] The Shoop family's athletic heritage significantly shaped Bob's path into coaching. Raised in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, alongside brothers Bill and John, the siblings were three-sport athletes in high school and continued playing in college.[53] Their father, affectionately nicknamed "Skipper," played a key role by coaching them during games and fostering a deep passion for sports, influenced by local Pennsylvania teams like Penn State and the Pittsburgh Steelers.[4] As the eldest, Bob entered coaching in 1989 after graduating from Yale and briefly working in business, setting an example that encouraged his brothers to pursue similar careers in football.[4]Awards and recognition
In 2014, while serving as defensive coordinator at Penn State, Shoop was named the 247Sports Defensive Coordinator of the Year for orchestrating a defense that ranked among the nation's top units in scoring and total defense, contributing to a 7-6 record and a Pinstripe Bowl appearance.[36] He was also nominated for the Broyles Award, recognizing the nation's top assistant coach, though he did not advance to the finalist stage.[10] Shoop's defensive acumen earned further accolades in 2018 at Mississippi State, where he was selected as the FootballScoop Defensive Coordinator of the Year after leading the Bulldogs to a top-20 national ranking in total defense and scoring defense.[33] That same year, he was a finalist for the Broyles Award, highlighting his impact on a unit that forced 19 turnovers.[54] In 2019, Shoop was a finalist for the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year Award in the FBS division, acknowledging his continued success in defensive scheme development.[55] During his head coaching tenure at Columbia from 2003 to 2005, Shoop's program produced 20 All-Ivy League selections, contributing to a 7-23 overall record that included notable individual performances in the secondary and defensive line.[13] His extensive bowl game experience spans 12 postseason appearances across various programs, including defensive coordination in the 2017 TaxSlayer Bowl with Tennessee and the 2019 Music City Bowl with Mississippi State.[2][56] Over more than 35 years in college football, Shoop has established a legacy as a premier defensive specialist, known for innovative blitz packages and player development that have elevated multiple programs to bowl eligibility and conference contention.[1]Head coaching record
Columbia Lions seasons
In his inaugural season as head coach of the Columbia Lions in 2003, Bob Shoop led the team to a 4–6 overall record and 3–4 in Ivy League play, finishing in sixth place. The Lions started with a loss to Fordham but secured Shoop's first victory against Bucknell, 19–16, followed by a dramatic 33–27 win over Princeton on a last-second desperation pass in their Ivy opener. Additional key Ivy wins came against Harvard (16–13) and Cornell (34–21), marking Columbia's first three conference victories since 1998, though losses to Lafayette, Penn, Dartmouth, Yale, and Brown capped the season.[57][58][59] The 2004 season proved more challenging for Shoop and the Lions, who finished 1–9 overall and 1–6 in the Ivy League, tying for seventh place amid a string of close defeats and offensive struggles. Early non-conference losses included a narrow 14–17 defeat to Fordham and a 13–42 blowout at Bucknell, while Ivy play featured a heartbreaking 26–27 home loss to Princeton on homecoming. The team's sole victory came against Cornell, 9–6, but subsequent defeats to Lafayette (14–35), Penn (3–14), Yale (14–21), Harvard (0–38), Brown (21–33), and Dartmouth highlighted persistent execution issues, with Shoop noting the program had reached "rock bottom" after inheriting a talent-deficient roster.[60][61][62] Shoop's final year in 2005 saw the Lions compile a 2–8 overall record and go winless in Ivy League play at 0–7, placing last in the conference and leading to his dismissal shortly after the season. The team opened promisingly with non-conference wins over Fordham (23–17) and Duquesne (23–13), achieving Columbia's first 2–0 start since 1996, but faltered dramatically in Ivy games, including a 3–43 rout at Princeton and a 7–55 home loss to Brown in the finale. Other notable defeats encompassed Lafayette (7–14), Harvard (16–44), Dartmouth (6–17), Yale (3–37), Cornell (7–45), and Penn (7–52), underscoring defensive breakdowns and scoring droughts that averaged just 10.2 points per game.[63][29][64][63]Career totals
Bob Shoop served as head coach of the Columbia Lions for three seasons from 2003 to 2005, accumulating an overall record of 7–23. His teams won 4 conference games and lost 17 in Ivy League play.[65] This performance yielded an overall winning percentage of .233 and a conference winning percentage of .190.[66]| Category | Record | Winning Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 7–23 | .233 |
| Ivy League | 4–17 | .190 |