Georgia Southern University quarterback-turned-coach Jaybo Shaw posted a solid career as a quarterback in the triple-option system.

Shaw completed his collegiate career with over 3,000 passing yards, over 1,000 rushing yards and 50 total touchdowns. He also has Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Southern Conference titles under his belt, but 2011 would not be the last time Shaw would be around college football. Shaw returned to GSU in 2013 to join Monken’s coaching staff.

“I was at Rabun County High School last year coaching under my father,” Shaw said. “It was just an afternoon sometime after spring ball and he (Monken) called me and said they were going to have an offensive graduate assistant spot open up and asked me if I would be interested. I jumped all over it.”

As a graduate assistant on Monken’s staff, Shaw helps coach the group of running backs, but will also lend some helpful advice to the talented committee of GSU quarterbacks.

“Those two (McKinnon and Ellison) are very special athletes. Just to be able to help them out as much as I can on or off the field, and help be a positive influence,” Shaw said.

After Shaw’s 2009 sophomore season at the Georgia Institute of technology, he transferred to GSU to assume the role as starting quarterback for head coach Jeff Monken.

“It was definitely coach Monken,” Shaw said. “When he got the job here, I talked to my family about it and prayed about it. It was the best football decision I have made in my life. To be able to play football here with great teammates and meet great coaches made my two years here the best years of my life.”

In 2010, Shaw led GSU to a 10-5 record in 2010. GSU made it to the semifinals of the Division I-AA playoffs but came up short to the University of Delaware.

In 2011, Shaw’s senior season, more success came. He led GSU to the outright Southern Conference title. GSU would finish 11-3 but fall in the national semifinals once again, this time to North Dakota State University.

The Flowery Branch native began his collegiate career in 2008 at Georgia Tech under former GSU head coach Paul Johnson. In seven games he compiled over 500 yards of offense and five total touchdowns.

Shaw’s 2009 season at Georgia Tech would see a more limited role. In four games he completed one of two passing attempts for 18 yards and an interception. Also, he only gained 51 rushing yards on the season. Georgia Tech did, however, win the ACC in 2009 but lost in a 38-3 rout to Louisiana State University in the Orange Bowl.

Shaw’s brother, Connor Shaw, is the talented starting quarterback at the University of South Carolina. Growing up, the two were very supportive of one another of their football aspirations.

“We would push each other to get better,” Shaw said. “We would do little things to push each other in the weight room and at practice to make each other better. I am just proud to be his bigger brother and I get more nervous watching him on Saturdays than I did ever playing.”

Monken said in a preseason interview, “He brings leadership. He’s a great kid. Our guys really respect Jaybo. He loves Georgia Southern, and I think he’ll be a great mentor and leader.”