Umar Shannon was named an assistant coach before the 2016-17 season.
In his first four seasons, Shannon has revolutionized the Red Flash guard play.
Saint Francis has led the NEC in scoring in three of his three seasons on staff and ranked first in the NEC in 3PT FG% in three of his four seasons.
In four seasons, Shannon has developed five guards into eight all-conference selections, including 2018-19 NEC Player of the Year and AP Honorable Mention All-American, Keith Braxton, and 2019-20 Player of the Year Isaiah Blackmon. The duo leaves SFU as the highest scoring set of teammates in NEC history with 3,657 combined points.
Blackmon led the NEC in scoring during conference play at 21.6 ppg and Braxton was the only player in the NEC to rank in the top 10 in scoring, rebounding and assists. He became the program's first four-time All-NEC selection, and a three-time First Team selection. Blackmon also joined Braxton on the first team.
Braxton developed into one of the top players in program history and NEC history under Shannon. A three-time Lou Henson All-American, Braxton was the top rebounder in the NEC as a sophomore (9.5 rpg) and the second-leading rebounder among all guards across NCAA Division I. He earned NABC First Team All-Region 18 accolades three times and became the first 2,000 point, 1,000 rebound player at Saint Francis since Maurice Stokes, and the first in Northeast Conference history.
Before Shannon's arrival, point guard Jamaal King averaged 2.1 ppg as a freshman. He developed into one of the top scoring guards in the Northeast Region since. King became the 40th player in program history to reach 1,000 career points in 2017-18, leading SFU and ranking third in the NEC in scoring at 18.2 ppg as a junior. He garnered First Team All-NEC accolades in 2017-18 and 2018-19 and was an NABC District 18 All-Region First Team selection in both seasons. He graduates eighth in program history in scoring (1,517 pts) and fifth in assists (381).
Shannon can also take credit for the development of Andre Wolford. A former walk-on, Wolford finished second in the NEC with 97 made three-point field goals in 2017-18, leading the conference and ranking second among all NCAA Division I players in 3PT FG% at 49.5%. He was named the 2017-18 NEC Most Improved Player.
Shannon played three years at Saint Francis from 2009-13, scoring 936 points and averaging 12.6 points per game. He had his best season in a Red Flash uniform as a sophomore, leading the team with 15.8 points per game en route to All-NEC Second Team and NABC All-District honors. His 68 three pointers that year are currently tied for 10th all-time in school history for a single season.
"I am very excited to welcome Umar back to Loretto," Krimmel said. "The experiences that Umar had during his time at Saint Francis as a student-athlete will allow him to be a great mentor to our players both on and off the court. He will work closely with our perimeter players as well as to help recruit and develop young men that our alumni and fans will be proud of."
Shannon completed his collegiate career as a graduate transfer at Quinnipiac, averaging 14.3 points per game for the Bobcats and surpassing the 1,000-point plateau in the process. Following his collegiate career, Shannon signed with KB Besa Peja of the Kosovo SuperLeague, the top league in that nation. In nine games with the team, Shannon averaged 12.9 points per game while averaging a team-best 5.4 assists per game.
"I want to thank God for blessing me in ways unimaginable," Shannon said. "I also want to thank coach Krimmel and Saint Francis University for giving me the opportunity to return to my alma mater to coach at the collegiate level. It's an honor and a privilege to be back."
Shannon lives with his wife Christina, and his two daughters, Gracelyn and Amelia.
