Steven S.

I began my coaching career in 2002 at Independence High School. The football team had a seven year, 109-game win streak, while winning seven straight NC 4AA State Championships. I was blessed to be a member of the coaching staff for five of those undefeated state championship seasons. While on staff I coached Wide Receivers and Return Specialists. At Indy I coached 10 All- Region, 9 All-State and 4 All-Americans honorees. Numerous former receivers went on to earn full athletic scholarships, while one went on to become a first round NFL draft pick (Hakeem Nicks) and another a second round pick (Mohammad Massaquoi). After those great five seasons at Indy, I coached Wide Receivers at West Charlotte High. This was my proudest coaching moment. I took a receiving core that no one had faith in and made them great. Two became All-State honorees and three were All-Region. We averaged over 40 points a game and only suffered two loses and those two were to who else, Independence High. Still very proud of that crew of young men and their accomplishments. During the off seasons during that seven year stretch, I became owner/operator of Steve Shipp's Catch & Tuck Student Athlete Transition Course. My program helped area student-athletes transition from middle school to high school and high school to college. The focus was on a three phase skill development program, film analysis drug and alcohol seminars, standardize test information and NCAA Division I & II rules and regulations translation just to highlight the key components. The program was a local success but I had to disband when I accepted a WR/Return Specialist coaching position at Johnson C. Smith University. After a two year stint as receivers coach, I was promoted to Offensive Coordinator/Quarter Backs Coach. This gave me a complete prespective into game planning and details of a functioning offensive unit. During the spring months, the Smith staff was involved with Duke and Clemson's coaching professional development programs. I was privileged to learn schemes, drills and practice/game management details from some of the best minds in college football and especially thankful to Duke's Coach David Cuttcliff, a QB guru in my book. February 2015, I was selected to participate in the NCAA/NFL Coaching Symposium. The symposium was an eye opening, thrilled filled, experience that will forever be a major part of my coaching philosophy.

I was a high school All-American Wide Receiver. My senior year, I was the NC Gatorade Player of the Year and Parade All-American to name a few accolades. I earned a full athletic scholarship to the University of Florida. I took that opportunity for granted and concluded my collegiate career at North Carolina A&T State University. I earned a degree in Mass Communication and Journalism. My most memorable graduations gift was walking that stage to receive my degree that December morning and coaching in my first NC State Championship game that evening.

EXAMPLE FOR A WR TRAINING SESSION: Our first session would consist of an evaluation. We would began with running motion drills (hammer rows, striders, turnover drills). From there, we will move to agility drills to gage level of functioning movements (cones, ladders, speed hurdles). As those movements are approved or corrected, we move to position specific drills (stance and start, lower and upper body release drills). Once approved or corrected, we continue with position specific drills (hand placement for catching, route detail, field awareness, blocking). My coaching philosophy consists of the building process, we learn a new skill and consistently revisit as we learn new skills. We will constantly build up skill level as the sessions progress. Session are relaxed but demanding, fun but challenging, detailed but room for error to develop maximum growth. I love it!!!!