DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University defensive coordinator Pete Shaw is hanging up his whistle. With a football coaching career spanning three and a half decades, Shaw is retiring from the sidelines at the end of January.

Shaw joined Averett head coach Cleive Adams' staff in March 2015 and guided the Cougars' defense last fall while also coaching the defensive line.

"After 35 years of coaching, I have decided to retire," Shaw said. "We have the greatest group of players that I have ever been around. Our team and the entire Averett athletics department truly is a family that is hard to leave. I have appreciated the relationship that I have had working with Coach Adams for eight years and the memories that I have shared with him and the rest of his wonderful family. It's time to focus on the needs of my family and be thankful for the opportunity that I had to mentor young men at Averett University."

Adams and Shaw previously worked together as assistant coaches at Ferrum College, where Adams was the defensive coordinator and Shaw worked with linebackers, defensive backs, the defensive line and special teams at various times while at Ferrum from 2003-2014.

"I really enjoyed working with Pete," Adams said. "He is a class act and always put the student-athlete first."

In addition to the past year at Averett, Shaw's career included stops at all levels from Division I, II and III, plus the professional ranks of the Arena Football League and arena2.

"Pete has given his best to Averett football since he arrived," Averett Director of Athletics Meg Stevens said. "He has been a hard worker and a team player."