Scott Shafer - Syracuse University Athletics

Defensive Coordinator

Years at Syracuse: 2009 to present
College: Baldwin-Wallace, 1990

Scott Shafer brings nine years of experience as a defensive coordinator and 16 years in the coaching profession to the Orange in his role as defensive coordinator. He has coached 19 all-conference performers during his coaching career and had four players earn All-America accolades.

“Scott is a veteran defensive play caller who has an attacking defensive style," Marrone said.

Shafer was the defensive coordinator at the University of Michigan in 2008 and at Stanford University in 2007. He was also an assistant head coach at Stanford in 2007 where he coordinated a defense that improved in every NCAA defensive statistical category from the previous season. The Cardinal defense recorded its first shutout in more than a decade and the team improved from 1-11 in 2006 to 4-7 in 2007, including an upset of then-top ranked Southern California on the road.

“I am excited to join the Syracuse family,” Shafer said. “Doug’s reputation in the coaching world is extremely high and I look forward to working with him to bring the Syracuse program back to national prominence.”

Prior to his year at Stanford, Shafer was the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Western Michigan for two years (2005-06). He played a key role in one of the biggest turnarounds in Broncos' history as WMU went from 1-11 in 2004 to 7-4 in Shafer’s first year and then 8-4 in 2006, when the Broncos earned an invitation to the International Bowl. In 2006, Shafer’s defensive unit led the nation in interceptions (24) and sacks (46), and finished sixth in run defense, seventh in turnover margin, 11th in total defense and 14th in opponent 3rd down conversions. The Broncos' rush defense (76.1 avg.) set a Mid-American Conference record for fewest rushing yards per game and led the league in six defensive statistical categories in 2006. Shafer was a nominee for the Broyles Award that season as the nation's top assistant coach.

Prior to joining the Western Michigan staff, Shafer was the defensive backs coach at Illinois in 2004, where he coached cornerback Kelvin Hayden, who led the Big Ten in interceptions and was drafted in the second round by the Indianapolis Colts.

Shafer worked at Northern Illinois University for eight seasons (1996-2003), including the last four as defensive coordinator. He was the defensive backs coach during his entire tenure at NIU and mentored 13 All-MAC selections.

Shafer was named defensive coordinator in 2000 and helped propel the Huskies to a 30-16 record during a four-year span and two MAC West Division championships (2001, 2002), posting the school's first 10-win season in 2003, the first in more than 20 years. The 2003 team was ranked as high as No. 12 in the AP polls and had three victories against BCS teams. Shafer’s 2003 squad ranked third nationally in interceptions (23) and in the top three in the MAC in every defensive category and he had five all-conference defensive players. In 2002, the Huskies led the MAC in every defensive category.

Shafer, who began his coaching career began as a graduate assistant coach at Indiana University (1991-92) working with the quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends, secured his first full-time coaching position at the University of Rhode Island in 1993. He coached the secondary for three seasons, including in 1995 when the Rams won the 1995 New England Division title.

A native of Painesville, Ohio, Shafer graduated from Baldwin-Wallace College (1990) with a degree in education and earned his master's degree at Indiana (1993). He played one season at Ohio University (1985) before transferring to Baldwin-Wallace (1986-90). At Baldwin-Wallace, Shafer quarterbacked the offense that ranked 17th nationally in pass efficiency and served as a team captain.

Shafer and his wife, Missy, have a son, Wolfgang and a daughter, Elsa.