A real Homecoming for a TU football great

By Kyle Hobstetter on October 19, 2022

This year’s Homecoming has a special meaning for Shane Simpson ’20, who made a name for himself as part of the Tiger football team.

Simpson was a running back from 2015–19 and truly earned his stripes. In 2018 he was named to four All-American teams and as Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Special Team Player of the Year. He finished his TU career as a three-time All-CAA First Team member.

After playing one year at the University of Virginia as a grad student, Simpson found his way back to Johnny Unitas© Stadium: He joined the football staff as the offensive quality control coach.

And what makes his return so meaningful for him is he gets to watch players who were freshmen when he was a senior.

“It feels great to be back and still have guys I actually played with, and that just speaks to how old they are too,” Simpson laughs. “But in all seriousness, it’s great to be back. It means the world to me because I came to TU initially for a reason, because I knew this is where I could be successful. And to be back where everything started is just dope.”

But Simpson hasn’t given up his dream to play professional football. And so far, his journey has had plenty of twists and turns.

After finishing at Virginia, Simpson was on track to be signed by the Washington Commanders. But before he could sign the contract, he contracted COVID-19, and the offer was rescinded.

While his NFL dreams are on hold, he has been finding other ways to get professional experience. Earlier this year, Simpson played in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Montreal Alouettes.

Simpson’s now preparing for the relaunch of the XFL. He’s had discussions with several teams and even had a few private workouts. This January, he will attend a special XFL training camp in Dallas with hopes of impressing before the league’s draft.

For now, Simpson has two jobs that usually take up most of his days.

“Once we’re done with practice, and we watch film as a staff, I’ll grab my shoes and shorts and work out in the Towson Center,” Simpson says. “I’m staying active, and I still have a regimen because when you’re a pro athlete, you have to be ready because you never know when you’re going to get that call.”

While he’s always had a goal of becoming a professional football player, he never really thought about becoming a coach. The idea came to him when Towson University head coach Rob Ambrose asked if he wanted to join the staff.

For Simpson, it was a no-brainer to come back and pass on his knowledge to the current crop of Tigers. It also gave him another chance to work with Ambrose, who was a huge part of his young life.

“Coach [Ambrose] is like a second father to me, and I don’t use that word lightly because I have a great father at home,” Simpson says. “We have definitely butted heads, but it was like we were family. I gave him a lot of gray hairs, but it’s all love at the end of the day. I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done for me as a player, as a young man now. I’m really appreciative of our relationship.”

Simpson continues to love the game of football. It’s given him a lot, so he’s hoping to use it to give back.

“I just want to keep showing people that whatever adversity they've gone through that doesn't define you as a person,” Simpson says. “I've been through numerous injuries, surgeries, deaths from family members and friends. But you're not defined by your adversity.”

Towson Tigers Football

Homecoming 2022

Watch the Towson Tiger football team take on William & Mary at Johnny Unitas© Stadium in the 2022 Homecoming game. Kickoff is 4 p.m., with special tailgating events and alumni programming scheduled to start at noon.

Students can claim their tickets by using the Towson Gameday app. Faculty and staff can get their free tickets by visiting the Athletics box office located outside Unitas Stadium.