Shawn Gibbs departs FVSU football for North Carolina A&T

Fort Valley State University announced Friday that head football coach Shawn Gibbs will step down after three years leading the Wildcats. Gibbs will take on a new role at North Carolina A&T State University, according to a statement issued by Interim Athletic Director Daphnie Johnson.

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Fort Valley State University announced Friday that head football coach Shawn Gibbs will leave the Wildcats after three seasons to join North Carolina A&T State University, according to an announcement by Interim Athletic Director Daphnie Johnson Friday.

Gibbs’ tenure included a historic turnaround for the program, with consecutive eight-win seasons and a victory in the Florida Beach Bowl.

Gibbs, who took over the program in 2022, led the Wildcats to an 8-2 record in his first season and an 8-3 record in 2023. The 2023 season ended with a 23-10 win over Johnson C. Smith University in the Florida Beach Bowl. Before his arrival, the program hadn’t reached the 8-win milestone in a decade.

Earlier this year, Gibbs renewed his agreement with FVSU despite offers from other institutions, according to a January announcement by then-Athletics Director Renae Myles Payne.

The Wildcats went 6-4 in 2024.

Johnson thanked Gibbs for his contributions.

“We are grateful for Coach Gibbs’ contributions to the Fort Valley State University Wildcat football program,” Johnson said in a statement. “His leadership and dedication over the past three years have been instrumental in shaping the lives of our student-athletes and the broader Fort Valley State University community.”