• Brian Sheppard joined Northern Arizona in January 2017 as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach.
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterback Experience:
• Sheppard arrived at NAU after coaching the previous four years with the Indiana State football program. Sheppard served four years with the Sycamores as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, with the last two as Assistant Head Coach.
• While at Indiana State, Sheppard helped guide the Sycamores to 2014 FCS Playoffs. This was Indiana State’s first playoff appearance since 1983, as well as the program’s first playoff win since 1983. Sheppard was a part of the best turn-around in college football in 2014 as the Sycamore football team went from 1-11 in 2013 to eight wins, and a Second Round FCS Playoff appearance in 2014. Indiana State finished 2014 ranked No. 21 and No.19 in the National polls.
• As the Offensive Coordinator, Sheppard brought in a no-huddle, up-tempo, spread-based offensive attack that finished in the top-tier of the Missouri Valley Football Conference in several offensive categories throughout his four seasons directing the offense for Head Coach Mike Sanford.
• Sheppard mentored a pair of All-Conference signal callers while coaching the Sycamore’s quarterbacks. Mike Perish finished his 2014 All-MVFC with 3,777 Yards Passing (No. 1 MVFC), 347 completions, 61.6% completion percentage, along with 27 total touchdowns. Perish finished No. 1 MVFC in passing, No. 3 MVFC in total offense and No. 4 nationally in passing on the way to the Sycamore’s best season in 35 years. In 2015, Matt Adam (R So) finished the year with 2,509 total offense and earned Honorable-Mention All-Conference.
• Prior to Indiana State, Sheppard served as the Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach at Willamette University.
• Sheppard was brought in to oversee the Willamette offensive transition from “The Fly” offense (predominately run-oriented) to a no-huddle, spread-based attack. In the first year directing the offense at Willamette in 2012, the Bearcats finished 8-2 finishing third in the Conference, up from 4-6 the previous year.
• In 2012 Willamette broke numerous offensive records on the way to the most explosive offensive season the Bearcats have had in their history. Willamette’s offense ranked finished the 2012 season with several notable national rankings including No. 10 nationally in total offense (amassing 4,981 yards and 55 touchdowns), No. 4 nationally in passing offense, and No.13 in red zone offense. The Bearcats finished ranked atop the Northwest Conference offensive statistics in several areas including, No. 1 in total offense (499.1 YPG), No. 1 in passing offense, No. 1 in scoring offense, No.1 in 3rd-down percentage, and No. 1 in red zone offense.
• While at Willamette, Sheppard mentored All-Conference quarterback Josh Dean, who transitioned to quarterback in 2012 from wide receiver. In 2012, Josh Dean totaled 3,445 Passing Yards in 10 Games while completing 273 of 418 passes (64% completion). Dean finished the season with 40 total touchdowns. The record-breaking Willamette quarterback finished the season ranked No. 1 in the conference in passing and total offense while finishing No. 3 nationally in passing and No. 6 nationally in Total Offense.
Assistant Coaching Experience:
• In 2010, Sheppard coached the tight ends at UCLA for head coach Rick Neuheisel. Sheppard was brought in by Coach Neuheisel and legendary college football coach Norm Chow to lead the tight end position as a graduate assistant. Sheppard mentored tight ends Corey Harkey (TE), Joe Fauria (TE) and Kevin McDermott (TE/LS). All three of the aforementioned UCLA tight ends had careers in the NFL.
• Sheppard spent 2007-2009 at New Mexico State while coaching for two head football coaches in several different roles through his three seasons with the Aggies.
• In 2009, Sheppard coached the tight ends at New Mexico State for head coach DeWayne Walker. Sheppard worked for offensive coordinator Timm Rosenbach in a graduate assistant capacity for the 2009 Season.
• In 2007 and 2008, Sheppard coached for head coach Hal Mumme. During the 2007 and 2008 seasons, Sheppard spent time with the tight ends, wide receivers and quarterbacks – as a graduate assistant.
• In 2006, Sheppard coached at the University of Tulsa for head coach Steve Kragthorpe. Coach Kragthorpe, along with offensive coordinator Charlie Stubbs, brought Sheppard on as an offensive assistant while assisting with the quarterbacks position. The Golden Hurricane finished the 2006 season with an 8-5 record overall, as well as an appearance in the Armed Forces Bowl.
• Sheppard played college football at Saddleback Junior College and Southeastern Louisiana University, before finishing his career and earning his degree at Baker University (Kan.). Sheppard played quarterback for all but one season while he was at Southeastern Louisiana where he played wide receiver.
• Sheppard graduated from Baker in the spring of 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business.
• Sheppard lives in Flagstaff with his wife, Victoria, and his 14 month old daughter, Sophie.
THE BRIAN SHEPPARD FILE
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
College: Baker, 2006
Playing Experience: Saddleback JC, Southeastern La., Baker
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2006, Tulsa, Quality Control, Assistant Quarterbacks
2007-09, New Mexico State, Graduate Assistant
2010-11, UCLA, Tight Ends, Graduate Assistant
2012, Williamette, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
2013-16, Indiana State, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
2017-Pres., Northern Arizona, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
2013-16, Indiana State, Linebackers/Special Teams
2017-Pres., Northern Arizona, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
