New TU football coach ready for first season

By Kyle Hobstetter on April 20, 2023

When Towson University Athletic Director Steve Eigenbrot hired Pete Shinnick in December to be the new head football coach, the Tigers were ready to enter a new era.

Fans got a sneak preview on Sat., April 22, at Johnny Unitas® Stadium when the Tigers hosted their annual spring football game.

It is the culmination of TU Football’s spring schedule. After spending the first few months of the job in meetings, doing weight training and recruiting, Shinnick has been excited to finally get his team on the field.

“Everything else is getting you prepared to be on the field. To throw the football around and watch our guys move and react—that’s the fun part,” Shinnick says. “It’s been a great spring, and we’re excited for guys to continue to grow.”

The Baltimore native is TU’s first new football coach in more than a decade. He comes from the University of West Florida, where, in eight years, he was twice named Division II Coach of the Year, led the team to playoff appearances in four of the last five seasons and won a Division II national championship in 2019.

Shinnick is ready to bring his history of winning to the Tigers. He’s also confident in building a successful program with the resources the athletic department has around him.

“We’re going to continue to do what we’ve done…my routine and my approach has stayed the same,” Shinnick says. “The biggest difference is we have a few more resources here to help us through the process. From an academic staff to the training staff to the equipment staff, I’ve been very appreciative of their help.”

One of the unique aspects of the transition process has been getting to know his new team. This includes figuring out personalities, strengths and weaknesses and even sometimes remembering names.

“The objective of spring practice is to get better and find out the potential of your team,” Shinnick says. “We’re going to give these guys assignments going into the summer for what they need to work on, so when we show back up in August, we know what we’re getting into.”

Shinnick is also getting to know the Towson University community, in Maryland and around the country.

Over spring break, he went to his old Florida stomping grounds. He stopped in Sarasota to take in an Orioles spring training game and join the Towson University Alumni Association’s crab feast.

Shinnick is excited to showcase the team for the TU community. And he’s hoping to get fans excited for the fall.

“I want a great student body presence at our games, because the louder they are, the better we’re going to be,” he says. “Spring’s a good trial run for that, and when fall comes around, we want our student body to be riled up and enthusiastic for what’s taking place on the field.”