University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Football
Byrnes, Shawn
Shawn Byrnes
- Title:
- Assistant Football Coach - Offensive Line
- Email:
- shawn.byrnes@unco.edu
Shawn Byrnes joined the Northern Colorado football staff in the spring of 2021 as the offensive line coach and enters his 13th season of coaching overall heading into the 2022 season.Â
Coach Byrnes came from Arizona where he recently trained NFL draft prospects with coach Alex Gibbs, who was coach Ed McCaffrey’s longtime Denver Broncos offensive line coach during their back-to-back super bowl winning seasons.Â
University of Northern Colorado (2021-Present): In his first season with the Bears, Byrnes saw great improvement along the offensive line going from allowing 2.33 sacks per game in 2019 to 1.18 in 2021 which was the fewest in the Big Sky and 15th in the FCS. The line was anchored by second team All-Big Sky selection Grant Stephens. Northern Colorado rushed for over 100 yards six times in 2021, including a season-high 251 at Southern Utah.Â
Ottawa University of Arizona (2018-20): During his time at Ottawa University in Arizona, he coached the offensive line for three years. Under Byrnes’ leadership, the OUAZ offensive line has anchored the OUAZ offense that has gained 506 yards per game and finished third in the NAIA in total offense during the 2019 conference championship season. They also were fifth in the country in sacks allowed, giving up nine on 502 pass attempts. Byrnes has coached AFCA-NAIA Honorable Mention All-American in Tristan Shehorn and four Sooner All-Conference selections including Tristan Shehorn, Samuel Laga, Austin Lloyd. And Elijah Boyd-Volakis.
Exos NFL Combine Preparation (2016-18): Leading up to the NFL draft, Coach Byrnes was the assistant coach to legendary NFL offensive line coach Alex Gibbs. At Exos, Coach Byrnes helped prepare NFL draft prospects for the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. The focus was to prepare the prospects for NFL fundamentals, terminology, drill work, and offensive line interview preparation. Notable Draft picks include Kolton Miller (15th Overall Pick- Las Vegas Raiders) Caleb Benenoch (Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 5th Round) Ted Karras (New England Patriots - 6th Round) Scott Quessenberry (Los Angeles Chargers - 5th Round) Martinas Rankin (Houston Texans - 3rd Round) Vadal Alexander (Las Vegas Raiders -7th Round)
Scottsdale Christian Academy (2015-17): Byrnes was hired by Head Coach Chuck Gibbs in January of 2015 to be the Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator before being promoted to Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach. In 2015, the Eagles went 9-1 in the regular season (5-0 in Section play) and went to the first round of the state playoffs. In both 2016 and 2017, the Eagles made it to the state semifinals with records of 9-2 and 10-3 respectively. During his time with the Eagles, he produced numerous All-State and All-Conference offensive line performers each year.
Arizona Christian University (2014): Followed Head Coach Donnie Yantis from Paradise Valley to be a member of the inaugural coaching staff at ACU. The team competed as an independent NAIA program before joining the Central States Football League the following season. Byrnes assisted the offensive line that helped the offense average 374.7 Yrds/Game.
Paradise Valley High School (2010-13): Byrnes was named the offensive line coach at his alma mater after being released from the United Football League. During his time with the Trojans, he produced numerous All-State and All-Conference performers. He also generated multiple collegiate offensive linemen.
Accomplishments as a Player:Â A four-year letter winner at Texas Tech, Byrnes played in 33 games with 21 starts for the Red Raiders. Those teams compiled a 37-15 overall record and went 3-1 in bowl games with appearances in the Insight Bowl, Gator Bowl, Cotton Bowl, and Alamo Bowl.
Signed a free agent deal with the United Football League (Las Vegas Locomotives)
Education: Coach Byrnes earned his bachelor’s degree in Exercise & Sports Science from Texas Tech University and a master’s in Arts in Leadership from Ottawa University.
Â
Coach Byrnes Resume
2021-Present  University of Northern Colorado (Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line)
2018-20Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ottawa University of Arizona (Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line)
                          - Conference Champions (2019)
2017-19Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Exos NFL Combine Preparations (Assistant Offensive Line)
2015-17Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Scottsdale Christian Academy (Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
                          - Conference Champions (2015)
2014Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Arizona Christian University (Assistant Offensive Line)
2010-13Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Paradise Valley High School (Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line)
Coach Byrnes came from Arizona where he recently trained NFL draft prospects with coach Alex Gibbs, who was coach Ed McCaffrey’s longtime Denver Broncos offensive line coach during their back-to-back super bowl winning seasons.Â
University of Northern Colorado (2021-Present): In his first season with the Bears, Byrnes saw great improvement along the offensive line going from allowing 2.33 sacks per game in 2019 to 1.18 in 2021 which was the fewest in the Big Sky and 15th in the FCS. The line was anchored by second team All-Big Sky selection Grant Stephens. Northern Colorado rushed for over 100 yards six times in 2021, including a season-high 251 at Southern Utah.Â
Ottawa University of Arizona (2018-20): During his time at Ottawa University in Arizona, he coached the offensive line for three years. Under Byrnes’ leadership, the OUAZ offensive line has anchored the OUAZ offense that has gained 506 yards per game and finished third in the NAIA in total offense during the 2019 conference championship season. They also were fifth in the country in sacks allowed, giving up nine on 502 pass attempts. Byrnes has coached AFCA-NAIA Honorable Mention All-American in Tristan Shehorn and four Sooner All-Conference selections including Tristan Shehorn, Samuel Laga, Austin Lloyd. And Elijah Boyd-Volakis.
Exos NFL Combine Preparation (2016-18): Leading up to the NFL draft, Coach Byrnes was the assistant coach to legendary NFL offensive line coach Alex Gibbs. At Exos, Coach Byrnes helped prepare NFL draft prospects for the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. The focus was to prepare the prospects for NFL fundamentals, terminology, drill work, and offensive line interview preparation. Notable Draft picks include Kolton Miller (15th Overall Pick- Las Vegas Raiders) Caleb Benenoch (Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 5th Round) Ted Karras (New England Patriots - 6th Round) Scott Quessenberry (Los Angeles Chargers - 5th Round) Martinas Rankin (Houston Texans - 3rd Round) Vadal Alexander (Las Vegas Raiders -7th Round)
Scottsdale Christian Academy (2015-17): Byrnes was hired by Head Coach Chuck Gibbs in January of 2015 to be the Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator before being promoted to Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach. In 2015, the Eagles went 9-1 in the regular season (5-0 in Section play) and went to the first round of the state playoffs. In both 2016 and 2017, the Eagles made it to the state semifinals with records of 9-2 and 10-3 respectively. During his time with the Eagles, he produced numerous All-State and All-Conference offensive line performers each year.
Arizona Christian University (2014): Followed Head Coach Donnie Yantis from Paradise Valley to be a member of the inaugural coaching staff at ACU. The team competed as an independent NAIA program before joining the Central States Football League the following season. Byrnes assisted the offensive line that helped the offense average 374.7 Yrds/Game.
Paradise Valley High School (2010-13): Byrnes was named the offensive line coach at his alma mater after being released from the United Football League. During his time with the Trojans, he produced numerous All-State and All-Conference performers. He also generated multiple collegiate offensive linemen.
Accomplishments as a Player:Â A four-year letter winner at Texas Tech, Byrnes played in 33 games with 21 starts for the Red Raiders. Those teams compiled a 37-15 overall record and went 3-1 in bowl games with appearances in the Insight Bowl, Gator Bowl, Cotton Bowl, and Alamo Bowl.
Signed a free agent deal with the United Football League (Las Vegas Locomotives)
Education: Coach Byrnes earned his bachelor’s degree in Exercise & Sports Science from Texas Tech University and a master’s in Arts in Leadership from Ottawa University.
Â
Coach Byrnes Resume
2021-Present  University of Northern Colorado (Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line)
2018-20Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ottawa University of Arizona (Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line)
                          - Conference Champions (2019)
2017-19Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Exos NFL Combine Preparations (Assistant Offensive Line)
2015-17Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Scottsdale Christian Academy (Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
                          - Conference Champions (2015)
2014Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Arizona Christian University (Assistant Offensive Line)
2010-13Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Paradise Valley High School (Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line)
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