The head coaches talk a great talk, don’t they? But who walks this talk? Who makes sure that the offensive formation is as directed by the head coach? It’s the right hand of the HC: the offensive coach! Meet the right hand of Coach Prime, Pat Shurmur.

He is a seasoned coach with a die-hard passion for football. “Coaching is about more than just the X’s and O’s. It’s about building character and preparing young men for life,” Shurmur said. Pat’s journey to the Buffs was not easy, but he always had a reason to keep going and coming home from the late-night practices: his family.

Meet the pillar of the Buffaloes

Meet his cornerstone: Jennifer Shurmur. They knew they were made for each other when they met at Michigan State University and have been inseparable ever since. Jennifer has been a constant source of strength and support for Pat throughout his coaching career. Pat has often acknowledged his wife in the media, “She’s the one who keeps everything together.”

The couple are blessed with 4 lovely children: Allyson, Erica, Claire, and Kyle. These children were engaged on the field from a young age. The children had an upper hand with their father, who knew the inside and out of the field. Pat’s youngest, Kyle Shurmur, took off and pursued football as a career. He played college football as a quarterback at Vanderbilt. Pat had instilled a “never-giving-up” attitude in his children. Though Kyle had a rough career as a football player, he kept grinding and soon transitioned as an offensive quality control coach for the Buffalo Bills.

The people behind Pat Shurmur

Pat is in a great phase of his career right now as the offensive coach for the Buffs. Like others, Pat had to work hard to achieve his goals. He had the ups and downs of his career, and nothing was the same. But the only constant thing he had that helped him through these rough days was his family members. He is a mastermind on the sidelines and a dedicated family man with a strong support system.

Pat’s coaching career began in 1988 at Michigan State, where he started as a graduate assistant. Over the next two decades, he held various coaching positions, including the head coach of the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants. Pat’s family has been a constant source of support throughout his career. He acknowledges their role in his success, stating, “Having my family by my side has been crucial. Their support allows me to focus on my job and give my best effort every day.” Their support, love, and encouragement have been constants in his life, helping him achieve his goals and make a positive impact on the teams he coaches.