Former South Carolina QB Connor Shaw finds career pivot point at Furman

Back then, Connor Shaw was just a freshman backup quarterback at the University of South Carolina. He spent most of the game watching from the sideline. Yet, he still recalls the few snaps he took against Furman University in 2010.

“I remember I threw a corner route to Tory Gurley,” Shaw said, citing the 21-yard pass he tossed as he led a touchdown drive late in the second quarter.

Shaw completed three more passes in relief duty that evening. He also rushed for 22 yards and helped Carolina secure a 38-19 victory against the Paladins.

“I had some zone read schemes, pulled the ball, made some things happen,” Shaw said with a laugh Wednesday afternoon. “Some good memories.”

Shaw never suspected that, seven years later, he would be watching from the other sideline.

Earlier this week, Furman coach Clay Hendrix hired Shaw as an assistant. Shaw will direct tight ends.

“As soon as I got the offer, I had a pretty good feeling I was going to take it. Couldn’t be a better place to start my coaching career,” said Shaw, who relocated to Greenville after graduating from USC.

Shaw’s brief appearance against Furman did not foreshadow the legendary career that followed. He steadily captained Carolina’s voyage to national prominence, which included three consecutive 11-win seasons.

Shaw closed his USC career with a 27-5 record as a starter, including 17-0 at home. Shaw also enjoyed four consecutive wins against rival Clemson.

Shaw built his legend on grit and guts. He was fearless on the field and persevered through pain. Unfortunately, that legacy of indestructibility did not follow him into the National Football League.

Shaw signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns in 2014 and earned the starting spot in the final game of his rookie season. However, during the following preseason, Shaw broke the thumb on his throwing hand and spent the season on injured reserve.

He joined the Chicago Bears in 2016, but he broke his left leg during a preseason game. He pulled a hamstring during the 2017 preseason.

Shaw never played in a second NFL regular-season game. The Bears released him in September.

“When the season ended, I figured it was time for me to move on,” Shaw said. “It’s tough to walk away. It definitely didn’t happen overnight, but three years of season-ending injuries, it’s taxing on your body and mentally.”

Although he was not sure where, Shaw always knew he would eventually venture into coaching. It is the family business. His father, Lee, is the head coach at Rabun County High School in Georgia. Connor’s brother, Jaybo, is Rabun’s offensive coordinator.

Shaw said he may have considered joining his family on the Rabun staff, before this opportunity surfaced so close to home.

Shaw's house is 10 minutes from Furman’s campus. This summer, he completed his rehabilitation at the Paladins’ athletic facilities. During that time, he nurtured his friendship with former Furman player and current assistant coach Brian Bratton.

“I knew Brian before, and this all just kind of escalated from that relationship,” Shaw said. “I was always closely affiliated with Furman, just living here and being on the campus over the summer. I'm coming in with a soldier mindset to do whatever it takes to help this team."

Shaw must consult his coaching heritage and NFL experience to navigate the transition from player to instructor— and from quarterback to tight end.

Shaw would not be the first coach to excel at a position he did not play. Former Furman assistant and Clemson receiver Tony Elliott won the Broyles Award as college football’s top assistant coach this season while directing Clemson’s running backs. South Carolina running backs coach Bobby Bentley was a quarterback.

North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren played tight end before spending nine years as a defensive coordinator. Prominent head coaches David Cutcliffe, Hugh Freeze, Chad Morris, Mike Leach and Paul Johnson never played college football.

“I’m not naïve. I know there will be a learning curve my first time coaching, my first time being involved with the tight ends,” Shaw said. “I have a good grasp of the position from a quarterback perspective. I was always sitting in the meeting rooms and installs with Cleveland and Chicago.

“I’m also joining a staff with a lot of experience. I think I’ll do well, and I think we’ll jell well.”

Shaw said what lies ahead inhibits him from ever longing for what he left behind. His professional playing career was short, but it did not end prematurely. He does not ponder a past without those injuries.

“You can’t do that to yourself. Everything happens for a reason,” Shaw said. “The adversity I went through made me a better man. It’s helped me lean on God more. So many life lessons I’ve learned the past three years I’ll cherish for a lifetime.

“Now, to be a part of a staff of not only great coaches but awesome men of character, I knew this would be a great learning opportunity. Not only on the field, but it will help me become better off the field as well.”