The 2023 season marks Lamar Manigo's second season as the Offensive Coordinator of the Virginia State University Football program after joining the Trojan family in 2022.
Under Coach Manigo's guidance, the Trojans had the second-best offense in the conference, averaging 30.5 points and 416.6 yards per game, led by the CIAA's Offensive Linemen of the Year (Matthew Foster) and Darius Hagans, a first-team All-CIAA selection who was second in the conference in carries (189) and rushing yards (1,012 yards).
Coach Manigo arrived at Virginia State University with 14 years of collegiate coaching experience. The last five seasons were spent at Shaw University, including three years (‘18-‘21) as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He previously served as the running backs and special teams coordinator (’16-17). Coach Manigo came to Shaw after almost a decade of offensive coaching experience on the NCAA D1 FCS level.
The Shaw Bears had a very productive offensive under Manigo’s leadership. From ‘18-‘21 Manigo has produced over 12 All-Conference Selections and broke four school records. In 2021, the Bears were atop the CIAA conference in Rushing (184.6) per contest. Running back Sidney Gibbs earned first-team honors by averaging (5.7) per carry. In 2019, the offensive unit averaged over 360 total yds per game. Quarterback Torrin Campbell finished 2nd in the CIAA for passing offense (218.8) and third for offensive efficiency (137.8) in his 1st year as a starter. Manigo helped Shaw to a 6-4 overall record, 5-2 mark in league action, and an overall second-place finish in the Southern Division. Offensively, Manigo had three Bears (Keanu Gonzales, Sydney Gibbs and Kevonta Moses) chosen to the All-CIAA Team.
In 2018, his first season as the quarterbacks coach, Manigo improved Shaw’s passing yardage per game by over 1000 yards. Quarterback Keon Marsh was third in the CIAA with 2,333 total passing yards on 202-of-314 pass completions and 18 touchdowns. Marsh finished 15th in the Nation in Completion Percentage (64.5).
In 2015, Manigo was one of 30 coaches selected to the NCAA-NFL Coaches Academy. Prior to Shaw, Manigo served as the tight end/fullback coach for Norfolk State University (NSU) in 2014. Manigo arrived at NSU after serving three seasons as receivers coach at MEAC member North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in Durham.
In 2013, he helped tutor All-MEAC selection Adrian Wilkins, who achieved career highs in receptions and yards and led the MEAC in all-purpose yardage. In 2012, under Manigo’s tutelage, NCCU’s leading receiver Geovonie Irvine earned All-Conference honors and ended his career as second-leading receiver in NCCU history with 171 catches for 2,322 yards and 16 touchdowns..
Coach Manigo began his coaching career in 2007 at SWAC member Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) in Prairie View, Texas, as an offensive graduate assistant. He spent two seasons in that role, working primarily with PVAMU quarterbacks, before promoted to receivers coach in 2009. In his first year as receivers coach, the PVAMU Panthers won their first SWAC title since 1965.That same season, the Panther’s offense finished 1st in FCS in passing efficiency. They also finished first in the conference in passing yards. Manigo would go on to coach Panthers receivers Shaun Stephens, who earned All-SWAC honors in 2010 after tallying career highs in receptions (63), yards (859) and touchdowns (9). In 2009. Manigo was also selected to the NCAA Future Coaches Academy in 2009.
Before becoming a coach, Manigo played collegiately at Bowie State University, where he was a four-year starter and team captain as quarterback from 2003 to 2006. In 2005, Manigo led the BSU Bulldogs to the CIAA championship game following an eight-win season in addition to a berth in the Pioneer Bowl. After a solid 2006 campaign, Manigo was named Bowie State’s offensive MVP. Upon his departure, Manigo was BSU record holder for most career passing yards well as most touchdown passes in a career, season and game.
The Baltimore, Md. native holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bowie State and a master’s in counseling from Prairie View. Manigo and his fiancée, Ashley are proud parents of two kids.
2016-2021: Shaw University
2014: Norfolk State University
2011-13: North Carolina Central University
2007-2010: Prairie View A&M University
