RALEIGH, N.C. — The Shaw University football program has added several new faces to its coaching staff ahead of the 2026 season, bringing a combination of collegiate coaching experience, championship backgrounds, player development and familiarity with the Bears program.

The additions include defensive coordinator Bryce Bradley, offensive line coach Cedric Dargan, assistant coach Jaden Jones, linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Wallace Cooper and defensive line coach Brennan Massenburg-Walters.

Bradley enters his first season at Shaw as defensive coordinator after building his coaching career at Virginia State University. A former four-year starter in the secondary for the Trojans, Bradley has served in several roles at VSU, including defensive pass game coordinator, safeties coach, defensive backs coach and graduate assistant. His work helped contribute to Virginia State defensive units that ranked among the top programs in NCAA Division II in multiple categories. Bradley earned his bachelor's degree in mass communication from Virginia State before completing a master's degree in social work with a specialization in trauma-informed practice in May 2026.

Dargan returns to Shaw as the Bears' offensive line coach, bringing both experience and familiarity with the program. He previously coached at Shaw from 2017-24 and has more than a decade of experience at the high school and collegiate levels. During his previous tenure with the Bears, Dargan helped develop multiple All-CIAA offensive linemen while coaching units that ranked among the conference's best in the running game. Shaw led the CIAA in rushing in 2021 while also leading the conference in fewest sacks allowed. Before Shaw, Dargan served as the head coach at Knightdale High School after previously serving four seasons as the program's defensive coordinator.

Jones begins his first season on the Shaw coaching staff after recently completing his playing career with the Bears. A Shaw alumnus, Jones played three seasons for the program from 2022-24, appearing in 25 games and recording 89 tackles, four tackles for loss, a half-sack, one interception and two pass breakups. Before coming to Shaw, Jones played at LaGrange College, where he totaled 53 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks in nine games during the 2021 season. Jones finished his collegiate career with 142 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 34 games.

Cooper joined the Bears in the spring and will work with the linebackers while serving as special teams coordinator. A former NCAA Division I linebacker at North Carolina Central University, Cooper was a member of two MEAC championship teams before graduating in 2016. He later moved into coaching, including a stint as defensive coordinator at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, where he helped the program reach a state semifinal and state runner-up finish. Cooper also served as special teams coordinator at Montgomery Academy and most recently coached at Rolesville High School, helping develop several Division I prospects.

Massenburg-Walters joins Shaw as defensive line coach after previously serving in the same role at Wake Forest High School. During his time there, both the varsity and junior varsity programs captured conference championships, while three defensive linemen earned all-conference honors. Massenburg-Walters also brings collegiate playing experience after competing at Pima Community College in Arizona, where he earned all-conference honors and was named to a junior college defensive tackle watch list.

The additions provide Shaw with a blend of experienced coaches, former collegiate players and coaches with strong ties to the Triangle. The group also adds continuity through Dargan's return and a direct connection to the program through Jones' transition from Shaw student-athlete to assistant coach.

The Bears continue preparations for the 2026 season with the expanded staff in place.

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