DANVILLE, Va. -- Shawn Baldwin joined the Averett University football staff as the defensive coordinator in January of 2026.

Baldwin enters the ODAC with both NFL and Division III experience in coaching. Prior to his arrival at Averett, Baldwin was the defensive coordinator at Nation Ford High School. His previous position before that was the external film analyst for scouting research for the Cleveland Browns. Here, Baldwin broke down individual plays for various positions, and created scouting reports for draft-eligible prospects for the coaching and personnel departments. His previous professional stop was for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023, where he served as the football operations and scouting coach for offseason and training camp players. 

Baldwin was an assistant coach and player liaison for Division III Anderson University from 2021-2022. Baldwin coached three all-conference selections, and helped to improve the Anderson defense in major statistical categories, which included points per game allowed, rushing yards and passing yards allowed.  A former United States Air Force staff sergeant, Baldwin graduated valedictorian of the Non-Commissioned Officer Airman Leadership School. 

Originally from Albemarle, North Carolina, Baldwin earned his Master of Business Administration from Anderson University in 2023. He also graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in recreation, sports leadership and tourism management from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2021.