Bob Shoop, a veteran defensive coach and former Vanderbilt defensive coordinator, returned to Nashville in 2025 as senior defensive analyst on Clark Lea’s staff. Shoop brings over 35 years of experience, was a Broyles Award finalist in 2018 and twice earned defensive coordinator of the year honors.
Shoop spent three seasons as defensive coordinator at Vanderbilt from 2011-13 and has also served as defensive coordinator at Tennessee, Mississippi State, Penn State, South Florida, Villanova, William & Mary and Yale during his career.
Some of his most successful campaigns came on West End, when his Commodore defenses finished among the top 25 in FBS in total defense all three seasons. His 2013 defense forced 30 turnovers, tied for 10th nationally, while helping Vandy win nine games for the second-straight season. The 2012 squad held opponents to 18.8 points per game, the lowest mark for a Commodore defense since 1997, while helping the team win nine games for the first time since 1915. In his first season, Vanderbilt returned to postseason play for the first time since 2008 and just the second time since 1982.
A two-sport athlete in his playing days at Yale, Shoop most recently served as safeties coach at Marshall in 2024. The Thundering Herd went 10-3 and 7-1 in the Sun Belt, defeating Louisiana, 31-3, in the conference championship game. The Herd finished third in the league in passing defense (199.1 yards per game). Shoop mentored JJ Roberts to first-team All-Sun Belt honors after the senior finished 15th in FBS in passes defended. Safety Ian Foster joined Roberts on the All-Sun Belt team.
Shoop spent 2023 in the professional ranks, helping the Birmingham Stallions to the 2023 USFL championship as defensive backs coach. Birmingham went 8-2 and defeated Pittsburgh, 28-12, in the title game. Prior to his season in Birmingham, Shoop had stops at South Florida (defensive coordinator and safeties), Miami (Fla.) (defensive analyst) and Michigan (safeties).
His most recent stop in the SEC came as defensive coordinator at Mississippi State, spending 2018-19 in Starkville. In 2019, the Bulldogs set a school-record for defensive draft picks with Jeffery Simmons (Tennessee), Montez Sweat (Washington) and Johnathan Abram (Oakland) all being selected in the first round.
The 2018 MSU defense led FBS in total defense (263.1 yards per game) and finished second in scoring defense (13.2 points per game) to national champion Clemson (13.1 ppg). The Bulldogs were also second nationally in rushing defense (95.08 yards per game), third in third-down defense (26.6%), seventh in passing defense (168.0 yards per game) and eighth in red zone defense (88.1%). The unit led the SEC in 29 different categories while pacing FBS in 10 and allowing the fewest yards per play in the nation (4.13).
Shoop was named a finalist for the Broyles Award for his efforts, as State did not allow a rushing touchdown during its entire home schedule and conceded only three touchdowns at home all season. Mississippi State was one of two FBS teams to not allow an opponent to score 30 or more points on the season.
Prior to Mississippi State, Shoop spent two years as defensive coordinator at Tennessee. His 2017 Volunteer defense ranked sixth nationally in passing defense (161.7 yards per game). In 2016, a unit decimated by injuries featured consensus All-American Derek Barnett who led the SEC with 13 sacks and 19 tackles for loss. Barnett, Rashaan Gaulden and Kahlil McKenzie were all drafted during Shoop’s time in Knoxville.
He joined former Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin at Penn State for two seasons (2014-15) as defensive coordinator. His 2015 Nittany Lion defense was 15th nationally in total defense (324.3 yards per game), 10th in passing defense (174.5) and tied for the most sacks in the nation (3.54 per game). Four Penn State defenders were selected in the 2016 NFL Draft—Austin Johnson (Tennessee), Carl Nassib (Cleveland), Anthony Zettel (Detroit) and Jordan Lucas (Miami).
His first season in State College saw Penn State rank second in FBS in total defense (278.7) and seventh in scoring defense (18.6). The Nittany Lions went 7-6 and reached a bowl game both seasons Shoop served as defensive coordinator.
Prior to Shoop’s three seasons at Vandy, he was defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for four years at William & Mary. He helped the Tribe to a pair of FCS playoff appearances. Shoop also served as an assistant coach at Massachusetts in 2006, helping the Minutemen to the FCS championship game.
His lone stint as a head coach came at Columbia from 2003-05. Before that he was an assistant coach at Boston College, Army, Villanova, Yale and Northeastern and spent time as a graduate assistant at Virginia and Yale.
Shoop played receiver and was a four-year letterwinner on the baseball team at Yale, earning a degree in economics in 1998. He was named Yale’s Robert Gardner Anderson Memorial Award winner for team spirit, dedication and leadership during his playing career. On the diamond, he was twice named the Raymond W. “Ducky” Pond Pitching Award recipient. He spent two seasons playing professionally in the United Kingdom for the Birmingham Bulls of the British American Football Association.
The Oakmont, Pennsylvania, native was a three-sport star at Riverview High School and was inducted in the Allegheny-Kiski Valley Sports Hall of Fame. He and his wife, Maura, have two sons—Tyler and Jay.
The Shoop File
Hometown: Oakmont, Pa.
College: Yale (economics, 1988)
Wife: Maura
Children: Tyler and Jay
Playing Experience
1985-87 • Yale (wide receiver)
1988-89 • Birmingham Bulls (British American Football Association)
Coaching Career
1989 • Yale • Graduate Assistant
1990 • Virginia • Graduate Assistant
1991 • Northeastern • Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)
1992 • Northeastern • Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)
1993 • Northeastern • Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)
1994 • Yale • Defensive Coordinator
1995 • Yale • Defensive Coordinator
1996 • Yale • Defensive Coordinator
1997 • Villanova • Defensive Coordinator
1998 • Army • Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)
1999 • Boston College • Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)
2000 • Boston College • Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)
2001 • Boston College • Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)
2002 • Boston College • Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)
2003 • Columbia • Head Coach
2004 • Columbia • Head Coach
2005 • Columbia • Head Coach
2006 • UMass • Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)
2007 • William & Mary • Defensive Coordinator (Defensive Backs)
2008 • William & Mary • Defensive Coordinator (Defensive Backs)
2009 • William & Mary • Defensive Coordinator (Defensive Backs)
2010 • William & Mary • Defensive Coordinator (Defensive Backs)
2011 • Vanderbilt • Defensive Coordinator (Safeties)
2012 • Vanderbilt • Defensive Coordinator (Safeties)
2013 • Vanderbilt • Defensive Coordinator (Safeties)
2014 • Penn State • Defensive Coordinator (Safeties)
2015 • Penn State • Defensive Coordinator (Safeties)
2016 • Tennessee • Defensive Coordinator
2017 • Tennessee • Defensive Coordinator
2018 • Mississippi State • Defensive Coordinator (Safeties)
2019 • Mississippi State • Defensive Coordinator (Safeties)
2020 • Michigan • Assistant Coach (Safeties)
2021 • Miami (Fla.) • Defensive Analyst
2022 • South Florida • Defensive Coordinator (Safeties)
2023 • Birmingham Stallions (USFL) • Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)
2024 • Marshall • Assistant Coach (Safeties)
Postseason Experience
1991 • Virginia • Sugar Bowl
1999 • Boston College • Insight.com Bowl
2000 • Boston College • Aloha Bowl
2001 • Boston College • Music City Bowl
2002 • Boston College • Motor City Bowl
2006 • UMass • FCS Final
2009 • William & Mary • FCS Semifinals
2010 • William & Mary • FCS Quarterfinals
2011 • Vanderbilt • Liberty Bowl
2012 • Vanderbilt • Music City Bowl
2013 • Vanderbilt • BBVA Compass Bowl
2014 • Penn State • Pinstripe Bowl
2015 • Penn State • TaxSlayer Bowl
2016 • Tennessee • Music City Bowl
2018 • Mississippi State • Outback Bowl
2019 • Mississippi State • Music City Bowl
2021 • Miami (Fla.) • Sun Bowl (withdrew due to Covid)
2023 • Birmingham Stallions • USFL Champions
2024 • Marshall • Independence Bowl (withdrew due to player availability)