EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. — Shawn Gibbs stood behind the microphone at his first weekly press convention as head coach of North Carolina A&T, the nation’s largest HBCU, setting the tone for the season. It’s one which he believes is about way more than wins and losses.
The once-powerful HBCU program received simply two video games over the previous two seasons below former head coach Vincent Brown Sr.
Enter Gibbs, who’s returning to a program the place he spent over a decade as an assistant. His mission is to rebuild Aggie soccer on a basis of religion, household, and custom — whereas restoring North Carolina A&T’s status as one of many premier applications in HBCU soccer.
“My priorities for the gamers are easy: God, household, lecturers, and soccer — in that order,” Gibbs mentioned. “Soccer isn’t who we’re, it’s what we do. If you happen to can concentrate on these 4 issues, and maintain them your priorities, you will get so much out of this sport.”
That cultural reset is deeply private for Gibbs, who has deep HBCU roots. “That is the primary HBCU on the planet,” he declared. “I’m a third-generation HBCU graduate myself, so that is my world. That is the place I wish to be.”
North Carolina A&T dwelling coming for Gibbs
Although that is Gibbs’ first season as a head coach at North Carolina A&T, it isn’t his first time in Aggie blue and gold. He beforehand spent greater than a decade on the A&T sideline, a tenure that included a number of championship runs. He left to get head teaching expertise at Fort Valley State, a D2 HBCU with a wealthy custom of its personal. Returning now, he admitted, feels each acquainted and bigger than ever.
“This isn’t my first time as a head coach. That is my first time right here,” Gibbs defined. “The whole lot is simply on an even bigger scale. I knew there was going to be an even bigger stage, and extra obligations from the press, however I used to be prepared for it.”
The return has been seamless for his household as properly.
“It’s been so nice. Not solely me, however my household,” Gibbs mentioned. “My son is again within the elementary faculty he went to after I was right here earlier than. My spouse by no means left her job right here, so she’s again round all her pals. It’s been a clean transition for all of us. We’re simply blessed.”
A Name to the Aggie Nation
For Gibbs, restoring North Carolina A&T’s soccer custom additionally means tapping into one of many largest and most passionate fan bases in HBCU athletics.
“We obtained the very best followers on the planet,” Gibbs mentioned. “We journey, we’re loud. We’d like to ensure our stadium is second to none. We’d like college students performing loopy on the video games — in a great way. Making noise. Our followers are massive. If we will enhance, we’re going to make our alums joyful and we’re going to get issues again to the place they must be.”
That connection to group and tradition, Gibbs mentioned, is central to Aggie Delight.
“Aggie Delight isn’t just one thing that we are saying. It’s one thing you reside each day. It’s about the way you do something in life. If we may be the very best model of ourselves within the classroom and as individuals, then we’ll be the very best soccer gamers too.”
Sharpe Anchors the Line
Offensive lineman Korrion Sharpe, one of many workforce captains, echoed his coach’s message about tradition and accountability.
“I simply observe what I see,” Sharpe mentioned. “We obtained good leaders out right here from the teaching standpoint. They inform us every part we have to know. Even off the sphere, it’s about being quarter-hour early, studying time administration, being a greater husband, a greater brother, a greater son. All that helps you be a greater soccer participant.”
Sharpe additionally addressed why he selected to remain at North Carolina A&T in an period when the switch portal makes motion simple.
“I knew who he was below and I knew what they stood for. I knew Coach Gibbs is a good man — to start with. You recognize — that helps with every part. In the event that they’re an incredible man, they gotta be an incredible coach. Nicely, that’s not essentially true — however Coach Gibbs is a good coach.”
New Coach Gives Inspiration
Defensive again Aaron Harris, additionally a captain, enters the season on the Deacon Jones Watch Record as one of many prime defensive backs in HBCU soccer. However Harris was fast to show the highlight on his workforce’s collective id.
“Our mentality is straightforward — we gotta hit you within the mouth,” Harris mentioned. “We wish to be bodily. That’s how we separate ourselves, by being the protection that flies to the ball and makes you are feeling us each play.”
Serving to instill that “Aggie Delight” for Harris is defensive backs coach Tony McRae. The previous NC A&T star and NFL veteran joined the workers this spring from rival North Carolina Central. Harris is joyful to be below his wing.
Having the ability to study from him — it’s nearly like nothing he says is improper. The whole lot is true. It’s info. So it’s a must to actually take heed to every part. Internalize it. But it surely’s been nice.
Going through Tennessee State
The Aggies open the season at Tennessee State, one other HBCU program below new management after the Eddie George period ended this summer time. Gibbs acknowledged the problem of making ready for an opponent with so many unknowns, however reiterated that the important thing can be adaptability.
“I don’t suppose week one is primarily about sport plan. It’s in regards to the changes,” Gibbs mentioned in making ready for Reggie Barlow’s TSU squad. “We’ve watched movie from the USFL, XFL, Virginia State, Alabama State — simply to get an thought of what they may do. However finally, it’s going to be about who could make these in-game changes.”
For Gibbs, Saturday’s opener is step one towards proving that North Carolina A&T can once more be the nationwide customary for HBCU soccer. “We’ve obtained to do our half,” he mentioned. “We’re blessed to be right here, and now it’s time to indicate the world what Aggie Delight is all about.”
