A versatile leader and proven winner, Gordon Shaw enters his third season as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach with the ThunderWolves.
In 2016, the Pack offensive line totaled three All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference team members (two on the first team) and guided the Pack to 195.8 yards rushing per game, despite missing their top running back for more than half the season. The ThunderWolves finished the regular season No. 14 in NCAA Division II in least tackles for loss allowed (4.36). Quarterback Rex Dausin started nine games and threw at a 60.5 percentage.
In 2015, Shaw helped guide an offensive line that produced two All-Americans (Gary Dixon and Zach Martinez) and blocked for the best rushing tandem in NCAA Division II history. The Pack touted Harlon Hill finalist (3rd in voting) running back Cameron McDondle, who combined with Bernard McDondle for an NCAA record for rushing yards by two backs on the same team (3,674 yards). The offensive line allowed 19 sacks (-128 yards) to rank No. 29 nationally (1.36 in sacks per game). All five starters for the offensive line earned All-RMAC recognition.
He owns 40 years of coaching experience, mostly at the Division I level, serving as a coach on both sides of the ball with great success.
Since 1990, Shaw has either coached or recruited eight All-Americans, 30 All-Big 10 and All-WAC players. He has coached two student-athletes that earned national awards, Greg Eslinger (Outland and Remington) and Matt Spaeth (Mackey) and several players under his tutelage have gone on to careers in the NFL.
In the last three years, Shaw had one-year stints with University of Houston, Texas State University and University of Idaho, respectfully. He spent 2009-11 at University of Hawaii as the offensive line coach and helped guide the UH passing game to a third, first and 12th place finishes, respectively, in passing offense nationally.
Prior to Hawaii, Shaw spent the 2008 season at University of South Dakota as the offensive coordinator and tight ends coach. In their first year full year at NCAA Division I-FCS, the Coyotes finished fourth nationally in scoring offense (37.5 ppg), sixth in total offense (455.6 ypg) and seventh in rushing offense (240.1 ypg).
Shaw spent the majority of his coaching career on both the offensive and defensive lines at University of Minnesota from 1993-2007.
In his time with Minnesota, Shaw guided one of the most productive offensive lines in school history. He was part of an offensive staff that made Minnesota the only school in the nation to pass and run for over 2,000 yards in eight straight seasons (1999-06). During his last six seasons with the Gophers he served as the team's guards and centers coach and was the in-state recruiting coordinator.
From 2001-06 the Gophers accomplished many firsts due to the production from the offensive line. They racked up over 300 yards of offense in a school record 31-straight games and compiled 300 yards of offense in 48 of 52 games.
During that time frame, Minnesota also became the first school in NCAA history to have two running backs each run for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. Two of those running backs, Marion Barber III and Laurence Maroney, have each gone on to successful careers in the NFL.
In 2003, Shaw was honored by receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association for his contribution to Minnesota football on and off the field. He was also the 1999 Nike Minnesota Assistant Coach of the Year.
He served as the defensive line coach from 1997-2000 and in 1999 helped the Gophers to their first bowl game appearance in 12 years. He started his career at Minnesota as the offensive line coach from 1993-96.
Prior to his time at Minnesota, Shaw had stints at the University of Wyoming (1990-92, offensive line coach), University of Idaho (1989, defensive coordinator and defensive line coach), University of Northern Colorado (1985-88, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach) and Northern Arizona University (1982-84, defensive line coach).
Shaw began his coaching career at his alma mater, California Polytechnic State University, as a graduate assistant from 1977-78. After a year at Cal State Northridge, Shaw returned to Cal Poly as a defensive line coach from 1980-1981. In 1980, Cal Poly won the NCAA Division II National Championship.
A graduate of California Polytechnic State, Shaw earned his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education in 1978. He then obtained his masters degree from Northern Arizona University, also in Physical Education, in 1984.
Shaw and his wife, Debra, have three daughters, Whitney (son in-law Adam), Jenna and Aubrey.
