Art Shell
No. 78 | |
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Position: | Tackle / Head Coach |
Career information | |
College: | Maryland Eastern Shore |
Career history | |
As Player As Coach
As Head Coach | |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Coaching stats at PFR | |
Arthur "Art" Shell (born November 26, 1946) is a former American collegiate and Professional Football player in the American Football League and the NFL, and a two-time former head coach of the Oakland Raiders. He holds the distinction of becoming the second-ever African American head coach (after Fritz Pollard) in the history of Professional Football, and the first in the sport's modern era. He also holds the Pro Football record for playing the longest as a diabetic.
Playing career
Shell was drafted by the American Football League's Oakland Raiders from Maryland State College. Playing offensive tackle, Shell participated in 24 playoff contests, including Super Bowls XI and XV, and was named to eight Pro Bowls.
Shell was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989. In 1999, he was ranked number 55 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.
Coaching career
Los Angeles Raiders
Through Al Davis, Shell is a member of the Sid Gillman coaching tree. As coach of the Raiders (at the time located in Los Angeles), Shell compiled a record of 54 wins, 38 losses, and was named AFC Coach of the Year in 1990, when the Raiders won the AFC West division with a 12-4 record, and advanced to the AFC championship game in the playoffs. Al Davis, owner of the Raiders, fired Shell after a 9-7 season in 1994, a move Davis later said he regretted.
After the Raiders
After leaving the Raiders, Shell went on to coaching positions with the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons, before serving as a senior vice president for the NFL, in charge of football operations.
2006 return to Raiders
Shell was officially re-hired by the Raiders as head coach on February 11, 2006. After leading the team to its worst record (2 wins, 14 losses) since 1963, Shell was fired once again by the Raiders on January 4, 2007[1]. Although the Raiders' defense was one of the best in the league, its anemic offense, along with a season long feud with wide receiver Jerry Porter led to the team's downfall and Shell's dismissal.
Head coaching record
Team | Year | Regular Season | Post Season | |||||||
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Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
LA | 1989 | 7 | 5 | 0 | .583 | 3rd in AFC west | - | - | - | - |
LA | 1990 | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 1st in AFC west | 1 | 1 | .500 | Lost to Buffalo Bills in AFC Championship Game. |
LA | 1991 | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 3rd in AFC west | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to Kansas City Chiefs in AFC Wild-Card Game. |
LA | 1992 | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4th in AFC west | - | - | - | - |
LA | 1993 | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 2nd in AFC west | 1 | 1 | .500 | Lost to Buffalo Bills in AFC Divisional Game. |
LA | 1994 | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 3rd in AFC west | - | - | - | - |
OAK | 2006 | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 4th in AFC west | - | - | - | - |
Raiders' Total | 56 | 52 | 0 | .518 | 2 | 3 | .400 | |||
Total[1] | 56 | 52 | 0 | .518 | 2 | 3 | .400 |
Personal
Shell is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans.
Shell attended Bonds-Wilson High School in North Charleston, SC. The school is no longer in existence.
Shell is an alumnus of Maryland State College, now known as The University of Maryland Eastern Shore, located in Princess Anne, MD. He hosts an annual celebrity golf tournament
When driving a car Art Shell never, under any circumstances, makes a left turn. He is convinced left turns are dangerous and inefficient, and therefore plans all his trips beforehand to ensure he only turns right. When a Subway restaurant opened directly to the left of his driveway, it was incredibly frustrating for Shell.
See also
He also has nephews Virgil Smalls, Brandon Shell, and Diondre Shell that play football in South Carolina. Two of them are offensive linemen and the youngest, Virgil, is a fullback.
References
External links
- 1946 births
- African American sports coaches
- African American players of American football
- American Conference Pro Bowl players
- American football offensive tackles
- National Football League head coaches
- Atlanta Falcons coaches
- Kansas City Chiefs coaches
- Living people
- Los Angeles Raiders coaches
- Los Angeles Raiders head coaches
- Los Angeles Raiders players
- Oakland Raiders head coaches
- Oakland Raiders (AFL) players
- Oakland Raiders players
- People from South Carolina
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees
- Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks football players
- American Football League All-Star players
- Sid Gillman coaching tree