Robert L. Shaw (Coach) entered this world March 4, 1939 and transferred to his Heavenly home March 4, 2021, after a brief illness due to the deadly Covid 19 virus. Robert was born in Potts Camp, MS to William Herman Shaw and Josie Gurley Shaw. Both preceded him in death. He is also preceded in death by his son Robert (Bobby) Shaw, Jr., brothers, Daniel Herman Shaw, Benny William Shaw and Alton Fred Shaw.
Robert is survived by the love of his life of 24 years Nancy D. Shaw and daughter Stacy L. Shaw, sister, Frances Shaw Aycock, brother-in-law, Norman Aycock and many other relatives.
Robert attended Magnolia High School where he played for Coach Joe Blaylock. He played both offensive and defensive tackle, making All State and All American his senior year.
After graduation from Magnolia in 1957, he went to Mississippi State University where he played offensive guard and defensive tackle, nose guard and linebacker. He received his Bachelor degree in 1962.
Robert began his career as history teacher, physical education teacher and coach at Murphy High School in 1962. In 1969 he became head football coach, a position he held for 13 years. During those 13 years he never had a losing season.
Some highlights of those extraordinary years: An overall record of 111-34-2 which translated to a winning percentage of 76.1; In 13 seasons as Murphy’s Head Coach, he was selected Coach of the Year nine times, sent 48 players on to some level of college football with six of them eventually making it to the professional level. His 1975 season was 10-0, giving Murphy its first undefeated team in 50 years. His 1970 team was the first from Mobile to make it to the state playoffs, a practice he continued throughout his career. Ten of his 13 teams were in the playoffs with the 1976 squad advancing to the championship level.
After the 1982 season he left Murphy and went into private business for six years. In 1988 he went into administration accepting the Assistant Principal’s position at Mary G. Montgomery High School. In 1991 he went from Montgomery to Pillians Middle School where he implemented many of the same organizational skills he had used on the football field.
Coach Shaw left Pillans in 1996 to become Manager of Secondary Schools and Athletic Director for Mobile County Schools.
He served as a member of the Alabama/Mississippi Allstar Committee, North-South All Star Game Coach in 1972, Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1999, L’Arche Mobile Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010, The Alabama Football Coaches Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
Robert was a member of Woodridge Baptist Church.
Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, 2:00 p.m. at Woodridge Baptist Church, Schillinger Road. Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. until service time. Interment will be in Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
The family would like to “Thank” Dr. Martin Lester and his staff, and a special thanks to the nurses and doctors at Mobile Infirmary Covid Ward.
If family and friends wish to remember Robert (Coach), donations may be offered to Woodridge Baptist Church or Dauphin Way Baptist Church.
