Coach Shannon Harris arrived to the VSU in 2021 to serve as the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks coach. Prior to VSU, Harris was promoted to Offensive Coordinator for the 2019 season after spending one year as an Offensive Analyst for the Tigers of Tennessee State University. Harris spent 16 seasons coaching football at the Division I level prior to VSU including a three-year stint at Alcorn State University as the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator from 2015-17.
Harris coached the Braves to three consecutive SWAC East Division and three SWAC Championship appearances. In 2015, ASU won the conference title and earned a bid to the inaugural Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl, falling to North Carolina A&T, 41-34.
In 2017, Alcorn led the SWAC in both total offense with 461.3 yards per game and first downs with 241. Harris developed wide receiver Norlando Veals who ranked first in the SWAC in both receiving yards with 901 and receiving yards per game with 81.9. For his efforts, Veals finished as an All-Conference First-Team selection and was named HBCU All-America Honorable Mention.
Harris mentored 2015 SWAC Newcomer of the Year winner Marquis Warford while at Alcorn State. Warford finished in the top-five of the conference in all-purpose yards. Warford and Veals each earned SWAC Player of the Week accolades in 2017.
The Braves ended the year ranked third in the nation in final HBCU Coaches Poll.
With Harris on the sidelines, Alcorn went 11-1 against SWAC East Division opponents including back-to-back undefeated campaigns in 2015 and in 2016.
Harris arrived at Alcorn after spending four seasons at Alabama State. He served as quarterbacks coach in his final two seasons after working with the wide receivers coach during the previous two campaigns. Harris aided the Hornets to back-to-back winning seasons his last two years.
Prior to Alabama State, Harris spent a season at Hampton University as the quarterbacks coach and assisted with recruiting, film breakdown and academics.
Harris begin his career at his Tennessee State, spending eight seasons with the Tigers from 2002-09. He served stints as a graduate assistant, quarterbacks coach, tight ends coach, wide receivers coach and quarterbacks coach.
He also spent time with the Tennessee Titans in 2014 during summer camp and for their first two pre-season games as an intern and was responsible for breaking down film. Harris returned to the Titans in 2015 to serve as an intern for the Titans summer mini-camp, working with the wide receivers.
Harris earned his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Tennessee State University in May of 2004. As a student-athlete, Harris started at quarterback for the Tigers, earning the role of team captain and Team Most Valuable Player. As a senior, he was a member of the Walter Payton Award Ballot in 2001.
Offensive Statistical Accolades:
- 3rd in total Offense, 2nd in 1st downs, 2nd in 3rd down conversion, 3rd in Passing Offense (TSU).
- AVG 42.9 points per game and 477 Total yards per game (Alcorn State).
- Four consecutive winning seasons (Alabama State).
- #14 in the (FCS) nation in total rushing yards in 2014 (Alabama State).
- #25 in the (FCS) nation in scoring offense in 2014 (Alabama State).
- #1 in rushing offense and conference – 2778 rushing yards total (Alabama State).
- #3 in scoring offense and conference – 441 total points (Alabama State).
- #3 total offense and conference 5162 total yards (Alabama State).
Individual Players Accolades
- (QB) Cam Rosendahl finished 2nd all-time single season in passing yard with 3,023 yards (TSU)
- (WR) Chris Rowland breaks Jerry Rice record for catches in a single season with 104 and 1,437 yards and set new record for single season. Also, Chris became OVC Offensive Player of the Year for the first time since 2008 and HBCU Player of the Year. Chris was selected as Undrafted Free Agent to the Atlanta Falcons (TSU).
- (OL) Lachavious Simmons only HBCU player drafted in the 2020 NFL draft to the Chicago Bears. 1st Team All OVC team (TSU).
- (WR) Jarvis Turner: Undrafted Free Agent – Washington Redskins (Alcorn State).
- (WR) Norlando Veals: Undrafted Free Agent – Washington Redskins (led team in catches and yards two years in row and finished first overall in yards receiving in 2017 (Alcorn State).
- (QB) Dave Legree: Undrafted Free Agent – Kansas City Chiefs (Hampton).
- (WR) Mike Mason: Undrafted Free Agent – Cleveland Browns (TSU).
