LOCAL : Raiders Fire Shanahan, Appoint Shell as Coach

Mike Shanahan was fired as coach of the Raiders today and replaced by assistant Art Shell, who becomes the first black head coach in modern NFL history.

Shanahan, 37, was in the second year of a three-year contract. The Raiders are 1-3 this season, having lost to AFC West opponents Kansas City, Denver and Seattle the last three weeks. Shanahan was 7-9 in his first season as coach last year.

Shell, 42, who has been the offensive line coach for the Raiders, was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year. He retired as a player after the 1982 seasons after 15 years as one of the top offensive tackles in pro football, all with the Raiders, and immediately joined the team’s coaching staff.

Shell joined the Raiders as a third-round draft choice in 1968 after playing at Maryland State. He played in 207 NFL games, third-highest total in Raiders’ history, and played in the Pro Bowl eight times.

A press conference was scheduled this afternoon to introduce Shell as the Raiders’ head coach.