Robert Morris University Athletics

@1coachshep

Patrick Shepard is entering his eighth season as an assistant coach at Robert Morris University and coaches tight ends. The 2016 season will be his seventh working with tight ends, and he also worked with receivers in 2014 and 2015.
 
In addition to his positional assignment, Shepard is also the program’s video coordinator. He was also one of the chief organizers of RMU’s inaugural prospect camp that was held in June 2016.
 
Shepard guided Duane Mitchell to a record-breaking 2014 season that saw the receiver break the single-season school record for receptions (54). He also helped Nic Lamica transition to receiver in the middle of the season as the redshirt freshman finished with 30 catches in just seven games on offense. In total, RMU tallied its second-highest reception total (171) in single-season school history under Shepard in 2014.
 
Shepard helped Tyler Digby claim All-NEC First Team honors in 2013, the fourth time in five years that one of Shepard’s tight ends was recognized with an All-NEC award. Digby’s honor is even more impressive since he was never available to participate in spring drills due to the fact that he was also a starter on RMU’s men’s lacrosse team.
 
With Digby as the primary tight end along with Andrew Smith and D.J. Pearson, RMU’s tight ends grabbed 34 passes in 2013. As a group, RMU tight ends notched at least 34 receptions in each of Shepard’s first five seasons.
 
Shepard's top protégé at the tight end position was former Colonial Shadrae King (2008-11), who concluded his career as the program's all-time leader in receptions with 145. King also tied the career school record for touchdown receptions (21) and finished his career second all-time at Robert Morris in receiving yards (1,698).
 
A three-time All-NEC selection, King established a then RMU single-season record for receptions in his final season of eligibility in 2011 with 51, compiling 524 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
 
A three-year letterwinner at Miami (Ohio) University, Shepard appeared in 37 games as a tight end with the Red Hawks.
 
Shepard earned all-conference honors twice as a wide receiver at Upper St. Clair High School and earned a spot on the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 in 2003 as a senior.
 
On his high school career, Shepard averaged over 13.0 yards per catch on 64 career receptions while also playing linebacker and strong safety.
 
A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Shepard earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history at Miami (Ohio) in May of 2009. In 2011, Shepard concluded his role as a graduate assistant coach by earning a Master of Science degree in communications and information systems at Robert Morris.