Bob Shoop - Football Coach - Mississippi State

Bob Shoop

Title:
Assistant Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)
Phone:
325-3470
Position(s):
Defensive Coordinator/Safeties

Defensive Coordinator/Safeties | Second season at MSU | @CoachBobShoop

A finalist for the prestigious Broyles Award during his first season in Starkville in 2018, defensive coordinator/safeties coach Bob Shoop has established Mississippi State’s defense as one of the nation’s elite as the Bulldogs were the only team in college football to finish inside the top 10 of all four major defensive categories.

State led the nation in total defense (263.1), finished second in scoring defense (13.2) – behind national champion Clemson (13.1) – second in rushing defense (95.08) and seventh in passing defense (168.0). Arguably the most dominant defensive unit in school history, MSU was No. 1 in the rugged SEC in 29 different categories while 10 of those led the nation. Known for its aggressive style and making offenses earn every yard they get, Shoop’s unit allowed the fewest yards per play in the nation (4.13).

Shoop, who has coordinated units to top 25 rankings in total defense in six out of the last eight years, enters his second season on Joe Moorhead’s Mississippi State staff. Moorhead officially announced Shoop’s hiring on Dec. 10, 2017. The Oakmont, Pennsylvania, native has 30 years of collegiate coaching experience, and he’s coached in 12 bowl games.

The 2014 National Defensive Coordinator of the Year, Shoop has proven to be one of the top defensive minds in the game. He has served as a defensive coordinator for 16 years, including two seasons at Tennessee (2016-17), two seasons at Penn State (2014-15) and three seasons at Vanderbilt (2011-13). Over his last 11 seasons, he’s coached 20 NFL Draft picks with four at MSU, five at Tennessee, five at Penn State, three at Vanderbilt and three at William & Mary.

State shattered a school-record for the most defensive players selected in one draft in 2019 (4). Tennessee selected defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons with the 19th overall pick, defensive end Montez Sweat was next as the 26th pick to Washington and Johnathan Abram immediately followed at 27th to Oakland as MSU set the school record for most players selected in the first round and tied Clemson and Alabama for the national lead. Edge rusher Gerri Green was taken in the sixth round by Indianapolis. MSU produced the second-most defensive linemen in this draft (3) behind only Clemson (4).

The 2019 NFL Draft marked the first time in school history that MSU had multiple defensive linemen selected in the first round. In fact, the Bulldogs and Clemson (also in 2019) are the only schools nationally to accomplish that feat over the last 11 drafts. Simmons, Sweat and Abram each earned All-SEC and All-America honors under Shoop’s watch in 2018.

From a historical perspective, the 2018 defense was one of the best in the 119-year history of MSU’s program. MSU allowed just 15 touchdowns, the fewest in the country on the year and since 2011 – Alabama (12) and LSU (15). Of the 829 plays MSU’s opponents’ offenses ran during the regular season, only 29 (3.5 percent) gained 25+ yards or resulted in a touchdown. That figure was the best in the nation.

State set the single-season school record for tackles for loss with 103, bettering the previous best of 98 set in 2015. Individually, Simmons and Sweat led the Bulldogs with 17 and 14, respectively. MSU’s 103 tackles for loss were the second most in the SEC, behind Alabama’s 107; however, State led the league in tackles for loss per game (7.92.).

The Bulldogs did not allow a rushing touchdown the entire home slate of 2018 and opponents managed only three touchdowns on State in Davis Wade Stadium, spanning 28 quarters. MSU and Fresno State were the only teams that did not allow an opponent to score 30 or more points during the entire 2018 season.

As defensive coordinator at Tennessee in 2017, Shoop oversaw a Vols unit that ranked sixth nationally in pass defense, allowing 161.7 yards per game through the air. In 2016, Shoop directed a Vols defense that was decimated by injuries. Despite the injuries, Derek Barnett earned consensus All-America honors while registering a career-high and SEC-best 13 sacks along with a conference-high 19 tackles for loss. Barnett was then selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.

That same season, Tennessee ranked sixth in the SEC and tied for 32nd in the country with 24 takeaways. The Vols ranked third in the SEC and 15th in the country with 100 tackles for loss. They were also third in the SEC and tied for seventh in the nation with 13 fumbles recovered.

Two of Shoop’s Tennessee players heard their names called in the 2018 NFL Draft, including cornerback Rashaan Gaulden (third round – Carolina Panthers) and defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie (sixth round – Kansas City Chiefs).

Prior to his two-year stint in Knoxville, Shoop transformed Penn State into one of the top defensive units in college football. In 2015, the Nittany Lions ranked 15th in the country in total defense (324.3), 10th in passing defense, (174.5) and tied for the most sacks per game (3.54) in the nation.

Four Penn State players developed by Shoop were selected in the 2016 NFL Draft, including second round defensive tackle pick Austin Johnson (Tennessee Titans), defensive ends Carl Nassib (Cleveland Browns) and Anthony Zettel (Detroit Lions) and safety Jordan Lucas (Miami Dolphins).

In his first season overseeing the Nittany Lions defense in 2014, the unit ranked second in FBS total defense (278.7) and seventh in scoring defense. That season, Shoop helped senior safety Adrian Amos grab three interceptions and gain honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades and safety Marcus Allen earn Freshman All-America and Big Ten All-Freshman honors.

For his efforts in his Penn State debut, 247Sports.com recognized Shoop as its National Defensive Coordinator of the Year. Following the season, Amos was selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears.

From 2011-13, Shoop served as defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Vanderbilt where he directed the Commodores to top 25 finishes in total defense in each of his three seasons. Vanderbilt forced 30 turnovers in 2013, which tied for 10th nationally, including 24 over the final eight games. Shoop’s 2012 unit held opponents to 18.8 points per game, the lowest by Vanderbilt since 1997, and ranked in the Top 20 nationally in pass defense (14th, 191.8 avg.), scoring defense (15th, 18.8 avg.) and total defense (19th, 339.9 avg.).

Shoop began his coaching career at his alma mater, Yale, in 1989 as a graduate assistant. He has also spent time as an assistant coach at William & Mary (2007-10), Massachusetts (2006), Boston College (1999-2002), Army (1998), Villanova (1997), Yale (1989, 1994-96), Northeastern (1991-93) and Virginia (1990). Shoop also has head coaching experience. From 2003-05, he served as head coach at Columbia.

Shoop played wide receiver at Yale where he earned his bachelor’s degree in economics. He was recognized with Yale Football’s prestigious Robert Gardner Anderson Memorial Award for team spirit, dedication and leadership. He also earned four letters in baseball.

Shoop was a three-sport standout at Riverview High School and is a member of the Allegheny-Kiski Valley Sports Hall of Fame. He and his wife, Maura, have two sons, Tyler and Jay.

Personal Information
Hometown: Oakmont, Pa.
Education: Yale, 1998 (B.S. Economics)
Wife: Maura
Children: Tyler, Jay
Birthday: August 18, 1966

Coaching Experience
2018-p: Mississippi State (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)
2016-17: Tennessee (Defensive Coordinator)
2014-15: Penn State (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)
2011-13: Vanderbilt (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)
2007-10: William & Mary (Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs)
2006: UMass (Defensive Backs)
2003-05: Columbia (Head Coach)
1999-2002: Boston College (Defensive Backs)
1998: Army (Defensive Backs)
1997: Villanova (Defensive Coordinator)
1994-96: Yale (Defensive Coordinator)
1991-93: Northeastern (Defensive Backs)
1990: Virginia (Graduate Assistant)
1989: Yale (Graduate Assistant)

Bowl Games/Playoff Games as a Coach
2019 Outback Bowl (Mississippi State)
2016 Music City Bowl (Tennessee)
2016 TaxSlayer Bowl (Penn State)
2014 Pinstripe Bowl (Penn State)
2014 BBVA Compass Bowl (Vanderbilt)
2012 Music City Bowl (Vanderbilt)
2011 Liberty Bowl (Vanderbilt)
2010 FCS Quarterfinals (William & Mary)
2009 FCS First Round, Quarterfinals, Semifinals (William & Mary)
2006 FCS First Round, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship (UMass)
2002 Motor City Bowl (Boston College)
2001 Music City Bowl (Boston College)
2000 Aloha Bowl (Boston College)
1999 Insight.com Bowl (Boston College)
1991 Sugar Bowl (Virginia)