University of Albany

Shawn Tafe joined the University at Albany football staff in January 2026 as the team's cornerbacks coach, bringing a wealth of defensive expertise and a proven track record of player development to the Great Danes' secondary.

Tafe joined the Great Danes' defensive staff after serving as the cornerbacks coach at the University of New Haven. During his tenure, he oversaw a secondary that consistently ranked among the best in the Northeast-10 and remained a defensive anchor as the Chargers transitioned to the FCS level (Northeast Conference) in 2025. His move to UAlbany followed a successful stint at Tiffin University, where as an assistant defensive backs coach, he helped the Dragons achieve top defensive rankings in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. Tafe’s coaching foundation was established at the St. Thomas More School in Connecticut, where he held various leadership roles including defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, and passing game coordinator.

A standout safety during his playing days at New Haven from 2017 to 2021, Tafe was a two-time All-Conference selection and remains one of the most prolific ballhawks in program history. He currently ranks in the top-10 in the Chargers’ record books for career interceptions and played a vital role in leading the program to multiple NCAA playoff appearances, including the second round in both 2018 and 2021.

A native of the Bronx, New York, Tafe earned his Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from the University of New Haven in 2021 and a graduate degree in Sports Management during his tenure at Tiffin University.