Entering his third season of the staff and second as defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator for the Rams is André Pope. In his first season with Shepherd he coached the cornerbacks.
Pope came to Shepherd after spending five seasons on the coaching staff at Avila University in Kansas City.He served as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Eagles.
Pope has produced 10 All-Conference defensive backs (six at Avila and four at Shepherd).The Rams led the PSAC in interceptions with 20 as a first-year member in 2019.
A graduate of Fort Hill High School in Cumberland, Maryland, Pope was regarded as one of the best high school recruits in the state. He spent time at running back, cornerback and safety and was rated as one of the top 300 recruits in the nation. By Pope’s junior year he received numerous offers from schools such as: Clemson, North Carolina, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Maryland, West Virginia and UConn.
Pope committed to the University of North Carolina after suffering an ACL tear the third game of his senior year of high school. Pope attended Fairmont State University over Gray-Shirting at North Carolina and West Virginia where he was a two-time All-American. As a freshman in 2006, Pope ranked eighth in the nation with seven interceptions and fifth in the nation in pass breakups (19). He also received Conference Player of the Week honors for his two interceptions and 10-tackle performance against West Virginia State.
After flirting with a career-ending injury (fractured hip), Pope then transferred to West Georgia two years later, completing his final season where he spent time at both safety and outside linebacker. During his time as a Wolf Pope ranked nationally in forced fumbles and led the team in tackles per snap.
Pope had workouts for the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills and Hamilton Tiger Cats.
Pope graduated from MidAmerica Nazarene with a BA in Organizational Leadership (Business).
Andre’ is the son of Tara Pope and Willie McCloud; a former UConn basketball player from 1987-89, and nephew of Andre McCloud, a Hall of Fame basketball player at Seton Hall University 1982-1986, NBA draft pick of 1986 Class. He is the father of two daughters; Alana and Amavi.
