Liberty and head coach Jamey Chadwell have announced the hiring of Shawn Quinn as the team’s new defensive coordinator. Quinn will come to Lynchburg from Blacksburg, Virginia where he spent the past four years, most recently as outside linebackers coach in 2025.
Quinn is the first new hire to Chadwell’s staff at Liberty as he now enters his fourth season on the Mountain. The Flames have lost three assistant coaches since the end of the 2025 campaign, with Co-Offensive Coordinator and quarterbacks coach Willy Korn, Co-Defensive Coordinator Kyle Krantz, and linebackers coach Josh Linam all moving on.
Quinn was one of the first hires for former Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry at Virginia Tech joining the Hokies as Sam Linebackers and Nickels coach in 2022. He coached the Stars and Nickels in 2023 and 2024 before shifting to the outside linebackers coach this past fall.
Prior to his time in Blacksburg, Quinn was the head coach at Savannah State from 2019-21 where he led the Tigers to a 16-6 record after transitioning from the FCS level to Division II. Prior to being named the 26th head coach in Savannah State history, he was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Tigers in 2018.
His previous coaching stops also include defensive coordinator at Tennessee Tech (2016), Western Carolina (2013-15), and Charleston Southern (2012), as well as stints as an assistant at Tennessee, Louisiana, LSU, Northwestern State, and Georgia Southern.
“Shawn Quinn brings a defensive mindset built on accountability, preparation and effort,” Bud Foster, former Virginia Tech associate head coach and defensive coordinator, said in a statement. “He connects with players, demands the right things and puts them in position to succeed. Liberty is getting an outstanding leader that will be a tremendous asset to their program.”
Former Virginia Tech head coach and current Defensive Coordinator said, “Shawn Quinn was the first job offer I made after accepting the heading coaching position at Virginia Tech. He is a fantastic coach, person, and defensive mind. Shawn has an incredible work ethic, is a tenacious recruiter and a very experienced defensive play caller. This is a great opportunity for Shawn and also a tremendous hire for Coach Chadwell and the Liberty Football program.”
