More than 11 years after he was fired as head coach of the Los Angeles Raiders, Hall of Fame tackle Art Shell is returning to the franchise, which, of course, has since returned to Oakland. On Saturday, the Raiders re-introduced Shell as the man to replace Norv Turner as the team's head coach.
Shell also coached the Raiders from 1989 to 1994 before being fired following a 9-7 season. He achieved moderate success in his first go-around with the club, compiling a 54-38 regular-season record with an appearance in the AFC championship game following the 1990 season.
Since his departure, the Raiders have been through five head coaches in 11 years. Owner Al Davis hopes Shell can return some much-needed continuity to the head coaching position.
"It's tradition, history, excellence, leadership. It's wrapped up all in one when you mention the name Art Shell," he told reporters.
But Shell wasn't Davis' first choice. In fact, it looks like he was third in line and wasn't seriously considered until Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt declined the position. Numerous published reports say Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino also turned down Davis.
Most recently Shell had been working as the senior vice president of football operations and development for the NFL.
Shell also coached the Raiders from 1989 to 1994 before being fired following a 9-7 season. He achieved moderate success in his first go-around with the club, compiling a 54-38 regular-season record with an appearance in the AFC championship game following the 1990 season.
Since his departure, the Raiders have been through five head coaches in 11 years. Owner Al Davis hopes Shell can return some much-needed continuity to the head coaching position.
"It's tradition, history, excellence, leadership. It's wrapped up all in one when you mention the name Art Shell," he told reporters.
But Shell wasn't Davis' first choice. In fact, it looks like he was third in line and wasn't seriously considered until Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt declined the position. Numerous published reports say Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino also turned down Davis.
Most recently Shell had been working as the senior vice president of football operations and development for the NFL.
Comments
Rehiring Shell is like rehiring the Captain of the Exxon Valdez to command a supertanker.
Rehiring Shell is like rehiring the Captain of the Exxon Valdez to command a supertanker. Only disaster lies ahead.
Funny, Shell’s hiring and the Alaska oil spill happened the same year and the same month.