Staff Directory
- Title:
- Defensive Ends Coach
- Email:
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
High School: Marion C. Moore School
College: Austin Peay (2019); Stephen F. Austin (2022); Spalding (2025)
Playing Career: 2015–19: Austin Peay State University | Defensive End
Family: McKenzie (wife)
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2026: SFA | Defensive Ends
2025: SFA | Assistant Outside Linebackers
2023–24: Holy Cross High School (Ky.) | Defensive Run Game Coordinator / Defensive Line / Strength & Conditioning
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
2020–23: SFA | Athletics Academic Advising & Student-Athlete Development
Shaun Whittinghill enters his second season on the Stephen F. Austin football staff in 2026 and his first as the Lumberjacks’ defensive ends coach. After serving as an assistant coach working with SFA’s outside linebackers and defensive front in 2025, Whittinghill was elevated to a full-time coaching position during spring practice and subsequently moved into his current role overseeing the defensive ends.
Whittinghill contributed to a historic 2025 campaign in which SFA finished 11-3, completed its first 8-0 Southland Conference season and captured the program’s fifth conference championship. The Lumberjacks advanced to the FCS quarterfinals and recorded their most victories in a season since 1995.
The Lumberjack defense finished fifth nationally in total defense, limiting opponents to 280.8 yards per game. SFA surrendered only 97.7 rushing yards and 18.6 points per contest while holding nine opponents to 17 points or fewer. The defense led the FCS with 122 tackles for loss and registered 42 sacks, 14 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries.
While assisting with the outside linebackers, Whittinghill helped Aaron Austin earn first-team All-Southland Conference honors. Austin appeared in 13 games and recorded 44 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, 15 quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. During the regular season, his 84.9 PFF pass-rush grade ranked second among Southland edge defenders, and he was one of eight conference defenders to record at least five sacks.
The defensive front Whittinghill assisted produced two additional All-Southland performers. Ky Thomas earned first-team recognition before being named the Southland Conference Football Student-Athlete of the Year. Thomas finished with 45 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 14 quarterback hurries while also serving as SFA’s nominee for the William V. Campbell Trophy and reaching finalist status for the Doris Robinson FCS Scholar-Athlete Award. Defensive tackle Eli Fields added second-team All-SLC honors.
Whittinghill joined the collegiate coaching ranks after spending the 2023 and 2024 seasons at Holy Cross High School in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. He served as the program’s defensive run game coordinator and defensive line coach while also directing its strength and conditioning program. During his time at Holy Cross, Whittinghill developed defensive linemen and linebackers who advanced to the NCAA Division I and professional levels, establishing a reputation for technical development and maximizing athletic performance.
Before returning to the field as a coach, Whittinghill worked at SFA from 2020 through 2023 in athletics academic advising and student-athlete development. He provided academic and personal-development support to student-athletes from men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, track and field, cross country and bowling.
Whittinghill played defensive end at Austin Peay State University from 2015 through 2019. After overcoming multiple injuries early in his career, he produced an all-conference senior season in 2019, recording 51 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. He earned second-team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors while helping Austin Peay capture the OVC championship and advance to the FCS quarterfinals during what was then the most successful season in program history. He also received the program’s Total Gov Award for exemplifying Austin Peay football’s core values.
A native of Louisville, Whittinghill attended Marion C. Moore School. He earned his undergraduate degree from Austin Peay in 2019 and continued his education at Stephen F. Austin and Spalding University. Whittinghill is married to McKenzie who is currently an assistant coach for the SFA women's soccer team.
