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Brad Sherrod was tabbed to lead the Catamounts' running backs, coming to Western after spending the past 11 seasons at his alma mater, Duke University, where he served in the same capacity. Sherrod was also named Associate Head Coach for the Catamount football program.
A former All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) linebacker and Duke team captain, Sherrod has over 13 years of coaching experience at a variety of positions. While in Durham over the last decade, he worked with Blue Devils' linebackers for his first nine seasons, tight ends two years ago, and most recently with the running backs.
In 2005, linebacker Michael Tauiliili was a co-recipient of Duke's Outstanding Defensive Player Award after leading the Blue Devils in total tackles with 92 and 69, respectively. Tauiliili was named first team Freshman All-America and the ACC's Defensive Freshman of the Year by The Sporting News after leading all rookie linebackers nationally in tackles, tackles for loss (10.0) and caused fumbles (3).
Also under Sherrod's tutelage was Ryan Fowler, a two-time Duke captain who made 41 career starts at Duke and earned second team All-ACC honors in 2003. Fowler racked up 495 career tackles -- the third-highest total in Duke history -- while adding 47.5 tackles for loss and 27 double figure tackle games. Currently a member of the NFL's Tennessee Titans, Fowler posted three 100-tackle seasons and was named co-MVP of the 2003 team.
All told, Sherrod coached three Duke players currently on the school's career leading tackle charts in Fowler (495, 3rd), Ryan Stallmeyer (348, 8th) and Chike Egbuniwe (328, 10th).
Sherrod began his coaching career in 1995 at the University of Massachusetts as a defensive tackle coach. He also has Southern Conference experience as he spent a season in Johnson City, Tenn., at East Tennessee State in 1996. He helped lead the Buccaneers to a season-high No. 8 ranking as ETSU qualified for the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs with a 10-3 record, advancing to the second round. While at East Tennessee, Sherrod was responsible for recruiting Florida, North and South Carolina.
Serving as team captain, Sherrod earned second team All-ACC honors as a senior in 1993 when he led the Blue Devils and ranked fifth in the conference in tackles with 113 total stops. The native of Monroe, N.C., tallied 279 stops including 26 tackles for loss in his Duke career from 1989-93.
His playing career began as a member of Duke's 1989 ACC championship team. He played in three games that season before red-shirting. For his career, Sherrod played in 47 games with 29 starts.
As a prep, Sherrod was a two-time all-state and honorable mention All-America pick at Monroe High School. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in history from Duke in 1993.
Sherrod and his wife, Monique, have one son, Elijah (2), and one daughter, Angelena (1).
