John Shuman, a longtime postgraduate head football coach and alumnus of Fork Union Military Academy, was promoted to the Academy's Director of Athletics on Wednesday, December 12, 2018.Â
Hired in 1980 as a teacher and assistant coach to Red Pulliam, Shuman took over the program in 1987Â and compiled a overall record of 190-110-1, ending his coaching career with his first-ever undefeated season (9-0) in 2018. Shuman started his Fork Union career enrolling as a postgraduate in 1975 and was a four-year starter at the Virginia Military Institute, graduating in 1980.
Shuman has coached and mentored hundreds of NFL players, including first-round draft picks Gaines Adams, Plaxico Burress, Anthony Castonzo, Jim Drunkenmiller, Rickey Dudley, Kareem Jackson and Robert Jones. Other notable NFL players include: Danny Aiken, Dexter Coakley, Tyronne Drakeford, Carlos Hyde, Morgan Moses and Michael Thomas. Shuman is a member of the VMI Sports Hall of Fame and the Salem High School Hall of Fame.
The Salem, N.J., native is married to Patricia Miller, whose parents William and Geraldine Miller worked at the Academy for over 30 years serving many roles in the Athletic Department. The couple has four children: Elizabeth, Ryan, Kelly and Mark. Ryan '04 and Mark '10 are FUMA alumni who played football at Virginia Tech. Mark is the current head coach of the Academy's prep football team.Â
