Coach Philip “SMACK” Shapiro joins the staff at his alma mater as Defensive Quality Control Coach following his retirement from the US Air Force at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. As a Command Pilot in the U-2 Dragon Lady and multiple C-130 variants, Coach SMACK flew 180 combat missions in addition to performing Sensitive Reconnaissance Operations worldwide.
While assigned to the Pentagon, Coach SMACK was responsible for all aspects of modernization, sustainment, and tactical employment of the U-2 Spy Plane program.
Coach SMACK is a 2005 graduate of VMI and holds a master’s degree in military history from American Military University. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Air Force’s Air Command and Staff College and Air War College. While on active duty in 2014, Coach SMACK played both slot receiver and defensive back for the Abilene Ruffnecks of the Crossroads Football League.
