Valdosta State University Men's Football

Graham Craig was elevated to head coach on Jan. 20, 2025, as he served as offensive coordinator for the Blazers in 2024 for their run to the national title game.  He became the 12th head coach in the history of the program.   "We are thrilled to announce Graham Craig as the new head coach of the Blazer football program," VSU Director of Athletics Troy Katen said.  "Coach Craig is the perfect fit for what our program needs – a leader of high character and integrity, essential for providing long-term stability, sustaining our on-field success and driving progress in other areas."   Craig returned to Titletown in the spring of 2024 as the offensive coordinator helping lead the team to the program's 11th Gulf South Conference title and a NCAA Division II National runner-up finish this past December with a 13-1 record overall and a 6-0 mark in GSC play.     In 2024, Craig's offense finished 11th nationally and tops in the GSC at 448.6 yards per game, while it was eighth nationally in scoring offense at 40.1 points per game which was best in the league.  The Blazers led the nation turnovers lost for the season with just five.   "This past season, Coach Craig did an outstanding job leading our offense, achieving remarkable results while building strong relationships with our student-athletes," Katen added.  "As a former Blazer, he has a deep connection within our program and strong ties to many former players.  He is committed to reconnecting with all of our football alumni, engaging with the Valdosta community, strengthening our bond across South Georgia and within our Blazer family."    With two-time Harlon Hill finalist Sammy Edwards under center, the Blazers finished 23rd nationally and tops in the league in passing offense at 248.0 yards per game, while the team was 18th nationally and best in the league in rushing offense at 200.6 yards per contest.  The team was second nationally in passes had intercepted with just two INTs allowed all season, while VSU was sixth nationally in first down offense (311) and sixth nationally in third down conversion at a .518 clip.  Under Craig's guidance, Edwards, along with offensive linemen Will Flowers, Jeremiah Mawali and Kenley-Mary Asse earned All-America honors in 2024.    "I am extremely honored to be named the Head Coach at Valdosta State," Craig said.  I want to thank President Dr. Richard Carvajal, Athletic Director Troy Katen and Blazer Nation for their faith in me to lead the Blazers.  I am excited to put together a winning staff, get to work in recruiting and prepare our team for spring ball.  My family and I love Valdosta and we can't wait to continue being involved in the community."   Craig spent the 2023 season as a senior offensive analyst/quarterbacks coach at Memphis.  He helped guide the Tigers to a 10-3 record and a Liberty Bowl title.  Memphis finished sixth nationally in scoring offense at 39.4 points per game, 14th in total offense (458.5 yards per game) and he coached quarterback Seth Henigan who finished seventh in the NCAA in total offense at 319.8 yards per contest.   Prior to Memphis, Craig spent four seasons at West Georgia and three as the offensive coordinator for the Wolves.  In 2022, his unit led the nation in total offense at 507 yards per game and led NCAA Division II in first downs per game averaging 27 per contest.  The offense was sixth in scoring (40 points per game), fifth in sacks allowed (just five sacks all season), third in passing offense (321 yards per game), seventh in tackles for loss allowed per game and 37th nationally in rushing offense at over 187 yards per game.     As the quarterbacks coach in 2021, Craig recruited and guided Harrison Frost to a single-season school record 3,618 passing yards and saw Frost be named a regional finalist for the Harlon Hill Award, which is given annually to the top Division II player in the country. Frost also tied a single-season record with 25 touchdown's under Craig's tutelage in 2021.   In 2019, Craig helped All-GSC quarterback Willie Candler to close out his career by becoming the most prolific passer in the history of West Georgia football, finishing his career with 8,346 passing yards. In addition, he guided redshirt freshman Garrett Bass, who was able to step in for Candler after an injury against West Alabama. Bass pushed the Wolves ahead in that game to take the victory, then engineered a second-half comeback against Mississippi College in the following week.    Craig has put together a varied background. He spent one season as a grad assistant at Arizona State, and the 2017 season as an offensive analyst at Nevada, before joining the UWG staff in the summer of 2018.   His first stint at Valdosta State came as a player in 2012 after he transferred from Murray State. In 2012, Craig helped lead VSU to its third national title in football, playing nine games at quarterback as a sophomore, going 44 of 79 passing for 750 yards with ten touchdowns and five interceptions.  He then finished his playing career at LaGrange College where he had a prolific 2013 season as one of ten finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy which is Division III's version of the Heisman Trophy.  His 2012 National Champion football team was inducted into the VSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.   The All-USA South Conference selection threw for 3,576 yards which set a school record at LaGrange. He also tossed 32 passing touchdowns that season and had a school record 62.2 completion percentage. His best game in 2013 was a 450-yard performance against Birmingham Southern.   A native of Birmingham, Ala., he attended Spain Park High School.  Craig is married to the former Lauren Young and the couple has two daughters, Lennon (3) and Georgia (1).

Valdosta State Running Backs Coach 

Im excited to join the Blazer football staff in 2025 as the Assistant Offensive Line Coach at Valdosta State University. It's an honor to be part of a program with such a strong tradition, and Im looking forward to helping develop our student-athletes both on and off the field. Prior to coaching, I spent six seasons playing offensive line at Samford University, where I had the privilege of competing in 48 games under former VSU head coach Chris Hatcher. During my time at Samford, I gained invaluable experience at the FCS level and was fortunate to be part of a team that reached the NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs in 2022. That season, we earned a first-round win over Southeast Louisiana before advancing to the quarterfinals against North Dakota State. My time as a player taught me the importance of preparation, discipline, and teamworkvalues I strive to instill in the players I now coach. Im passionate about helping young men reach their full potential and preparing them for success both on the field and in life. Im thrilled to be part of this camp and look forward to working with all the athletes who are here to compete and get better.

Alex Nelson enters his second year in Titletown in 2025 as a wide receivers coach and pass game coordinator. In 2024, the Blazers were ranked eighth in the country in scoring offense at 40.1 PPG and 11th in total offense with 448.6 yards per game. The offense turned the ball over a total of five times on the year which was the best in the nation. VSU made yet another run to the National Championship as they fell to Ferris State but not before claiming their 11th GSC Crown as they were a perfect 6-0 in conference play and 13-1 overall. Coach Nelson was named to the Valdosta State coaching staff in the fall of 2024 where he serves as running backs coach. Prior to Valdosta State, Nelson came from Tusculum University, where he served as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator from 2021-2024. During that time, Tusculum went 19-14 and averaged over 24 points per game each season. Prior to Tusculum, Nelson served as the offensive graduate assistant coach at the University of Florida on Coach Dan Mullen's staff. While with the Gators, he worked with the receivers. His duties included opponent scouting reports, weekly game plan and inventory management, gameday charting, game day offensive scouting, defensive scout team carding and scripting, and offensive recruiting management. While in Gainesville, the Gators posted a 19-6 record. The 2019 club went 11-2 while winning the Orange Bowl posting a victory over Virginia. Florida finished that season ranked ninth in the country. In 2020, the Gators went 8-4, but tallied an impressive 8-2 league record to win the SEC Eastern Division title and advanced to the Cotton Bowl. Florida ended the year ranked 13th in the nation. He coached two seasons at NCAA FBS Georgia State University from 2017-2019 where he served on the offensive staff and worked primarily with the quarterbacks. The 2017 GSU Panthers went 7-5 including a 27-17 win over Western Kentucky in the Autonation Cure Bowl in Orlando, Florida. He served on the coaching staff at Florida Atlantic University for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. in 2015, he was the offensive quality control assistant and worked with the FAU offensive line. In 2016, he was the Offensive Quality Control Analyst and assisted with the quarterbacks. Nelson graduated from Florida in 2014 earning his bachelor of science in biology with minors in fishery and aquatic sciences.

Gino Spadaro enters his third season at VSU in 2025, as he is the defensive line coach. In his two seasons prior, Valdosta State has gone 25-3 and have won back to back GSC Titles with two postseason appearances including a run to the National Championship in 2024. Last season, the Blazer defense was 17th in the nation in total defense as they allowed a total of 269.5 yards per game. The run defense allowed an average 132.1 YPG, which was 67th in the country. As a whole, the VSU defense allowed 13.7 PPG, which was ninth in the country as they put together three shutout games. In 2023, the Blazers recovered a total of 12 fumbles, which was ranked 13th. Gino joins the Valdosta State football staff as a graduate assistant in 2023. As a graduate assistant, Gino is the Defensive Line Coach along with being a Film Coordinator and the Assistant NFL Liaison. Before Valdosta State, Gino completed his undergrad at Bluffton University in 2018 where he was a team captain of the football team in 2018. After completing his undergraduate, Gino was a Corners Coach at Montana Tech in 2018, a Linebackers Coach at Lake Erie College in 2019, an Assistant Defensive Line Coach at Colorado Mesa in 2020, where he was then promoted to the Linebackers coach in 2021. He was most recently at Notre Dame College in 2022 as a Safeties Coach. While at NDC last year, Gino was instrumental in winning the GMAC conference. Gino is originally from Macedonia, Ohio.

Aidan Panni joins the Blazer football staff in 2025 as the special teams coordinator and tight ends coach.  Panni was most recently the special teams analyst coach at Costal Carolina for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. In 2024, the Chanticleers punt return unit averaged 12.8 yards per return while holding opponents to 4.86 yards per return. The Chants won the 2023 EasyPost Hawaii Bowl by a final of 24-14 versus San Jose State University. Prior to Coastal Carolina, Panni was the special teams and assistant tight ends coach at UT-Martin for the 2022 season, where the Skyhawks went 7-4 overall and 5-0 in the Ohio Valley Conference as they were the OVC Champions. Panni spent the 2021 season at West Texas A&M where he was a graduate assistant while being the tight ends coach/offensive GA. The Buffaloes went 7-4 during the 2021 season while going 5-2 in the Lone Star Conference. Panni's first gig was at Garnder-Webb University, where he was a special teams/offensive quality control coach for the 2020 season. The Bulldogs only played four games due to COVID, where they went 2-2 including a ranked win over #24 Elon.

Ryan Luna begins his first season at Valdosta State as the Director of Football Operations.   Luna came to Titletown from Limestone University in Gaffney, S.C., where he worked under head coach Jerricho Cotchery as he learned a lot from Coach Cotchery.   He spent the Summer of 2024 under MakeItLookEasy Training with clients such as NBA Free Agent Terry Taylor and G-League player Pedro Bradshaw, covering all basketball operations. Prior to Limestone, Luna worked at Ohio Northern serving as the Director of Football Operations and Recruiting Assistant under head coach Dean Paul and Recruiting Coordinator Andre Griffin. Luna is a 2023 graduate of Western Kentucky University with a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies and an emphasis in science. Luna served nearly three years as a student trainer and, within those three years, standout quarterback Bailey Zappe broke the all time passing in college football that won the Boca Raton bowl game. The following year standout and former West Florida quarterback Austin Reed helped lead WKU to a New Orleans Bowl victory. 

Shannon Showers begins his first season at Valdosta State and will coach in the secondary and served as academic coordinator.  Showers came to VSU from Benedict College where he coached under defensive coordinator Shea Campbell and coached James Trey Carver in 2024 who then transferred to Old Dominion.   Prior to Benedict, Showers served as a graduate assistant at Tusculum in 2023 for head coach Jerry Odom.   During his playing career, Showers earned All-Gulf South Conference accolades at the University of West Florida. In his two seasons in Pensacola, he led the Argonauts to a pair of GSC titles and two trips to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. He Made 98 Tackles, eight pass breakups, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. His UWF teams went a combined 21-4 overall and 12-2 in conference play. He also earned all-conference honors during his time in Pensacola. He began his collegiate career at NCAA-FBS Southern Miss where he played in 23 games, including 10 starts. During his time there he accumulated 77 Tackles, four pass breakups, three interceptions, and a forced fumble. He also received Freshman all-conference honors. Showers holds an associate’s degree in psychology from Southern Miss in 2020 and completed his Bachelor of Science in psychology in 2021.  He was a member of the Dean’s List and earned a spot on the GSC All-Academic Team in 2022. He then received his master's degree from Tusculum University in 2024.