Follow Coach Shanahan on Twitter: @CoachShanahan_
Recruiting Areas:
• North Carolina (Winston-Salem), Maryland, Pennsylvania (Western), West Virginia, Alabama
Mike Shanahan came to Elon in February 2017 following a one-year stint as the wide receivers coach on Curt Cignetti’s staff at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP).
Shanahan’s guidance helped Kortez Weeks earn both all-conference and Freshman All-America accolades in 2017.
Led by Weeks’ 709 yards, three Phoenix receivers gained over 500 yards through the air in 2017. The Elon offense averaged 205.5 receiving yards per game in 2017, an increase of over 50 yards per game from the previous season.
The 2018 season saw Cole Taylor lead the unit with 524 yards on 31 receptions while Kortez Weeks led the team with 36 receptions for 484 yards. Against New Hampshire, Weeks caught 14 passes for 165 yards to mark the most receptions in a game since All-American and NFL Draftee Aaron Mellette caught 14 balls against against Furman during the 2012 season.
In his lone season at IUP, Shanahan helped receiver Walt Pegues to second-team all-conference honors. Pegues rated 11th at the NCAA Division II level with 94.1 receiving yards per game. The Crimson Hawks' offense averaged 209.8 yards per game receiving in 2016 as the team finished with a 10-2 overall record. IUP ended the 2016 season ranked 12th in the nation and advanced to the second round of the NCAA playoffs.
Prior to his time with IUP, Shanahan spent two seasons at the University of Pittsburgh. At Pitt, Shanahan worked mainly with the wide receivers, helping NFL prospect Tyler Boyd garner first team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors with 91 receptions for 926 yards and six touchdowns in 2015. The Panthers went 8-5 and earned a berth in the Military Bowl that year.
Shanahan also saw time coaching alongside offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jim Chaney during spring practice as he transitioned from a volunteer coach in 2014 to the offensive graduate assistant.
Shanahan graduated from Pitt in 2012 after four years on the gridiron where his 159 receptions and 2,276 yards both rank in the top 10 in school history. A four-year letterman and two-time team captain, Shanahan earned second-team All-Big East honors in 2012 after catching 62 passes for 983 yards and six touchdowns in helping the Panthers to a BBVA Compass Bowl appearance.
He was also a four-time All-Big East Academic Team selection and was the recipient of Pitt's annual Senior of Distinction Award.
After graduation, Shanahan had stints as a member of the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers' preseason squads. He was also a member of the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League as a wide receiver and tight end.
Shanahan earned Associated Press first team Class AAAA All-State honors as a high school senior.
Shanahan earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Pitt as he studied history as an undergrad and social studies education as a grad student.
