Former Alabama standout Sam Shade named Pinson Valley head coach

Pinson, AL – A month after Pinson Valley head coach Bo Nix departed Jefferson County for Central-Phenix City, the Indians have landed their next leader on the gridiron.

Pinson Valley principal Michel Turner confirmed Monday that former Alabama Crimson Tide and NFL standout Sam Shade will be the Indian’s ninth head football coach.

A Wenonah High School graduate, Shade most recently served on the Cleveland Brown’s staff as a special teams assistant. Prior to his stint on the NFL sidelines he spent time on Fred Yancey’s Briarwood Christian staff as a volunteer assistant before joining Pat Sullivan’s Samford Bulldogs staff for six seasons. He added a single season as a defensive assistant at Georgia State before being tapped by the Browns.

Prior to jumping into the coaching ranks, Shade starred on the gridiron at the University of Alabama, winning a national championship in 1992. He was selected in the forth round of the 1995 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. After four seasons with the Bengals the standout defensive back was traded to Washington, spending another 10 years with the Redskins before retiring following the 2002 season. During his professional career he lead the Redskins in tackles on two occasions in route to 563 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 10 interceptions over his eight year professional career.

The Magic City native is taking over a Pinson Valley program who has posted a 38-4 record over the past three seasons including a pair of 6A state titles, two region crowns and a 17-1 mark in region play. The Indians will remain in 6A region 6 in 2020, competing against metro area rivals Clay-Chalkville, Gardendale, Minor, Mortimer Jordan, Jackson-Olin and traditional power Jasper.

Shade will lead the Indians on the gridiron for the first time August 21st against 7A foe Hewitt-Trussville at Willie Adams Stadium.