Steve Shankweiler Takes Over As ECU Offensive Line Coach

Replacing an NFL-caliber player like Matt Butler of Greenville State can be a formidable task for college position coaches. But when that left guard has now joined Detroit Lions’ roster it becomes even more complex.

Shankweiler has a lengthy tenure at ECU dating back to 1987. During that time he served three five-year terms in Greenville. Additionally he has coaching experience at The Citadel, Western Kentucky and Georgia Tech.

Early Life and Education

Shankweiler first made an impactful impact as a high school coach, leading Redan High of Stone Mountain, Georgia to win its 3-A state title. Later he transitioned into college coaching under legendary coaches Bill Lewis at Georgia Tech and Lou Holtz at Cincinnati before rejoining ECU for good in 1987.

Shankweiler was instrumental in leading a turnaround of Pittsburgh Pirates offense under his direction as offensive line coach, helping produce future NFL stars Brian Rimpf and Guy Whimper along with shaping one of the strongest lines in Big East and nationally – as well as helping guide Bulls line to be one of their finest units.

He currently works for James Madison University as their offensive line coach, having accrued over 42 years of coaching experience – 33 of them on a college level.

Professional Career

Shankweiler began his coaching career by leading Redan High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia to the state 3-A title. Later he went on to coach at both high school and collegiate levels, including The Citadel, Western Kentucky, Georgia Tech and ECU under Bill Lewis until 1987 when ECU won seven bowl games under his direction, including an 11-1 Peach Bowl season that earned them ninth-place ranking nationally.

He served as an assistant coach at USF between 2010 and 2011, helping the Bulls’ offensive line become one of the premier units in Conference USA. He later spent one year as quarterbacks/wide receivers coach at FIU before becoming Lafayette’s offensive coordinator.

Achievement and Honors

Fans of East Carolina football were left uncertain what to expect when 2022 kicked off, due to numerous players being sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols and injuries — especially members of their offensive line – who had to miss playing time due to COVID-19 protocols or simply injuries sustained by these same players.

Shankweiler led his unit to a solid finish, creating running room that allowed the Pirates to become the first program in Conference USA with three top passers (3,000 yards passed, 1,000 yard rusher and two top receivers).

Shankweiler helped mold quarterback Alex McGough into an All-C-USA performer and mentored Jonnu Smith to single-season reception and receiving yardage records, among many other achievements. Additionally, several starters received All-Freshman recognition under his tutelage. Shankweiler began coaching Redan High in Stone Mountain, Georgia to state 3-A championships before later serving on Western Kentucky and The Citadel’s coaching staffs before joining ECU’s staff as head coach in 1987.

Personal Life

Shankweiler brings with him extensive coaching experience at both the high school and collegiate levels. In Georgia – leading Redan High of Stone Mountain to victory – as well as three seasons working under former ECU head coach Bill Lewis at Georgia Tech (1992-1994 – offensive coordinator and offensive line coach).

He served as a college line coach at both South Carolina (2004) under Lou Holtz and Cincinnati (2003) before joining USF’s staff as offensive line coach in January 2010. There, he helped shape offensive linemen such as center Avery Jones, tackle Noah Henderson and Isaiah Foote into Conference USA All-Stars.

Shankweiler led an offensive unit that led the Big East in terms of fewest sacks allowed and passing efficiency while enabling running back Chris Johnson to record consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Shankweiler is married to Patti Thompson (former University of Miami student). They share one son named Kort.

Net Worth

Steve Shankweiler has had an extraordinary career as an offensive line coach at ECU. For 35 seasons as both an offensive coordinator and line coach at Division I level, including 20 as line coach himself, Shankweiler guided ECU’s offensive lines to some of their most impressive numbers ever before, before shifting focus to supporting running backs and wide receivers as the team looks to build upon its impressive 2022 output. Shankweiler lives with his wife Patti and three children: daughters Lori and Jennifer as well as son Kort.