Art Shell: NFL Head Coach & Hall of Fame Player

Arthur Lee "Art" Shell Jr. (born November 26, 1946) is a pioneering figure in NFL history, renowned both for his outstanding playing career and his accomplishments as a head coach. Shell is best known for his long association with the Raiders, serving the franchise as both an all-time great offensive tackle and later as its head coach.

Playing Career

• College: University of Maryland Eastern Shore
• Drafted: 3rd round (80th overall), 1968 NFL/AFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders
• Position: Offensive Tackle
• Pro Team: Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders (1968–1982)
• Highlights:
  • 2× Super Bowl Champion (XI, XV)
  • 8× Pro Bowl selection
  • First-team All-Pro (1974, 1977)
  • Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1989)
  • Part of the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
  • Played 207 games over 15 seasons, forming a legendary tackle tandem with Gene Upshaw

Coaching Career

• Assistant Coach:
  • Raiders Offensive Line Coach (1983–1989)
• Head Coach:
  • Los Angeles Raiders (1989–1994)
  • Oakland Raiders (2006)
• Other Coaching/Front Office Roles:
  • Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Line Coach (1995–1996)
  • Atlanta Falcons Assistant Coach/Pro Personnel (1997–2000)
  • NFL Senior Vice President of Football Operations (2004–2006)
• Coaching Highlights:
  • First African-American head coach in the modern NFL era (appointed 1989)
  • Playoff appearances: 1990, 1991 (AFC West title in 1990)
  • Overall head coaching record: 56–52

Legacy

• Art Shell is widely respected for breaking barriers as one of the first African-American head coaches in the NFL.
• His leadership, both on the field and on the sidelines, helped shape the Raiders' storied legacy.
• Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1989, Shell remains an influential figure in football history.

Legacy & Career Overview

Art Shell: A Comprehensive Biography

Arthur Lee "Art" Shell Jr. stands as one of the most respected figures in the history of the National Football League (NFL), both for his excellence on the field as a Hall of Fame offensive tackle and for his trailblazing role as a head coach. Shell’s career is marked by a series of groundbreaking achievements, highlighted by his tenure with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, both as a player and as a coach.

Early Life and Background

Art Shell was born on November 26, 1946, in Charleston, South Carolina. Growing up during the era of segregation, Shell overcame significant social and economic barriers to rise to prominence in football. He attended Bonds-Wilson High School before enrolling at Maryland State College (now the University of Maryland Eastern Shore), where he played college football as an offensive and defensive lineman.

Playing Career

• Drafted: Shell was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the third round (80th overall) of the 1968 AFL/NFL Draft.
• Position: Offensive Tackle
• Years Active: 1968–1982 (all with the Raiders)

Shell quickly established himself as a dominant force at left tackle, recognized for his combination of size, agility, intelligence, and technical mastery. His career spanned 15 seasons, during which he became a cornerstone of the Raiders’ formidable offensive line, notably forming a legendary partnership with guard Gene Upshaw.

• Pro Bowls: 8 (1972–1978, 1980)
• All-Pro: 2x First-team (1974, 1977); 3x Second-team (1975, 1976, 1978)
• Super Bowl Championships: 2 (Super Bowl XI, XV)
• Raiders Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1989
• Pro Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1989

Shell’s style of play was characterized by his ability to neutralize premier pass rushers, protecting quarterbacks such as Ken Stabler and Jim Plunkett and paving the way for running backs like Mark van Eeghen and Clarence Davis. He played in 207 career regular-season games, starting 169 of them, and was instrumental in the Raiders' success throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.

Coaching Career

After retiring as a player, Shell transitioned into coaching, beginning as an offensive line coach with the Raiders in
1983. His leadership skills and football acumen quickly distinguished him among the coaching staff.

• Head Coach, Los Angeles Raiders: 1989–1994
• Head Coach, Oakland Raiders: 2006

In 1989, following the firing of Mike Shanahan, Shell was promoted to head coach of the Los Angeles Raiders, making history as the first African American head coach in the modern era of the NFL, and only the second overall (after Fritz Pollard in the 1920s). His appointment was a significant milestone for minority representation in professional football coaching. Coaching Highlights:

• Overall Record: 56-52 (including playoffs)
• Playoff Appearances: 3 (1990, 1991, 1993)
• AFC West Title: 1990
• AP NFL Coach of the Year: 1990

Shell’s best season came in 1990, when he led the Raiders to a 12-4 record, an AFC West title, and an appearance in the AFC Championship Game. Under his guidance, the Raiders consistently fielded tough, disciplined teams that reflected his own approach as a player. After his initial head coaching tenure ended in 1994, Shell held several positions, including working as an assistant coach with the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons, and serving as an executive in the NFL office. He returned to the Raiders as head coach in 2006, after the team moved back to Oakland, but his second stint was less successful, as the team finished with a 2-14 record.

Legacy and Impact

Art Shell’s dual legacy as a Hall of Fame player and a barrier-breaking coach has made him one of the most influential figures in NFL history. His integrity, professionalism, and leadership have inspired countless players and coaches, particularly African Americans seeking opportunities in coaching and executive roles. Other Notable Facts:

• Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
• Served on the NFL Competition Committee and as Senior Vice President of Football Operations for the NFL.
• Known for his calm demeanor and immense respect from peers and players alike.
• Recipient of numerous honors for his contributions to the sport and to the advancement of minority coaches.

Art Shell’s journey from humble beginnings in South Carolina to the heights of NFL stardom and leadership is a story of perseverance, excellence, and historic achievement. As both a dominant offensive lineman and a pioneering head coach, Shell’s enduring legacy continues to resonate within the NFL and beyond.