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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Shane Shayde

Shayne Shade

  • Title
    Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coord., RB's, TE's & Inside WR's
  • Email
    shadesm@unk.edu
  • Phone
    (308) 865-8020
  • Bldg/Location
    H&S Center, Rm. 010 (FB Office)
  • Twitter
    @Coach_Shade
Shayne Shade joined the Nebraska-Kearney coaching staff in December 2014. After working with the Loper defensive linemen for two years, he led the outside linebackers from 2017-19.

Shade moved over to offense in the winter of 2019, now coaching the insider receivers, backs and tight ends. The Iowa native also serves as the program's recruiting coordinator. 

24678In 2017, first-year starter Zach Sullivan was among UNK's tackle leaders with 60. Next, newcomers Brendan Folk and Cliffond Taylor combined for 48 stops as the Loper defense was among the MIAA leaders in total and rush defense. 

The following season the Loper defense was again tough, allowing 328 yards and 22 points per game. Sullivan and Taylor combined for 64 stops and 8.5 TFL's with two other veterans combining for 37 stops and five QB hurries. 

In 2019 UNK went 7-5 and won the Mineral Water Bowl, the program's fourth-ever postseason victory. The Lopers held three foes under 20 points including Northwest Missouri. Kearney beat the Bearcats, 24-17, to help extend a win streak to three straight games. Finally, Sullivan earned All-MIAA honors after wrapping up a career with 174 tackles. 

The 2020 season was canceled by the on-going COVID pandemic but UNK was one of a handful of D2 schools to play countable games in the fall. The Lopers won at Pittsburg State, 31-26, for the first time in 37 years while beating in-state rival Chadron State, 45-35, at home. UNK's backs totaled 392 yards (5.9 yards per carry) and two scores in those wins with the passing game averaging 120 yards per game.

UNK's stable of backs combined for 1,568 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022 and 1,843 yards and 15 scores in 2021. Dayton Sealey (2021) and Damien Cearns (2022) earned All-MIAA honors as back with Montrez Jackson (2022) tabbed as the MIAA's top all-purpose player. In the passing game, cruisers Thomas Tews and Luke Blatchford had four TD catches in 2022 with an array of slot receivers managing 1,240 yards and 15 TD's in UNK's run-based offense the past two seasons. Michael Koch was named All-MIAA in 2021 as well. 

In his first year as coach, Shade saw end/lineman Peyton Lange earn All-MIAA honors after having 46 tackles (6.0 TFL's) and two interceptions for a conference-best 122 return yards. Eight other linemen and ends combined for 182 tackles (10.0 sacks) with end/lineman Jacob Bartling being tabbed as the team's Walk-On of the Year. The following fall Tye Spies was one of eight Lopers to earn All-MIAA honors. The converted tight end finished with 41 tackles, including 8.0 TFL's (3.5 sacks). Next, true freshmen end Hinwa Allieu ranked third on UNK in tackles (45) and was first in QB hurries (four). He was just the second true freshmen d-linemen to play at UNK since 2000. In the spring of 2019 he signed on with the NFL's Atlanta Falcons. 

The Des Moines, Ia., native starred along the Northwest Missouri defensive line between 2007-10. Shade then remained in Maryville for four years. He was a graduate assistant coach in 2012 and 2013 and continued to help the Bearcat defensive line in 2014. He began his coaching duties in 2011 as a student assistant.18768

In his time as a GA, Shade coached five all-conference players and was a part of the 2013 squad that went 15-0 and won the national title.

He also worked with two-time All-American end Matt Longacre. The 2014 MIAA Defensive Player of the Year, Longacre (Millard West H.S.) left as the Bearcats all-time leader in sacks (30.5) and TFL's (47.0) and went on to play with the NFL's Los Angeles Rams. 

As a player, Shade was a two-time All-MIAA defensive tackle who also earned All-Region honors as a junior in 2009. Part of four MIAA Championship teams, he helped Northwest finish as national runners up in 2007 and 2008 and win the national title in 2009.

A three-sport star at Des Moines Roosevelt High, he graduated from Northwest in 2011. Shade and his wife, Michelle, have a son, Kayden, and daughter, Olive.