Raiders Make Shell First Modern NFL Black Coach

Art Shell became the first black head coach in modern National Football League history Tuesday, replacing Mike Shanahan, who was fired as coach of the Raiders.

“It is an historic event; I understand the significance of it,” said Shell, a former offensive lineman who was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame earlier this year.

The naming of Shell came 15 years to the day after the Cleveland Indians made Frank Robinson the first black manager in major league baseball.

Shell, 42, has been the Raiders’ offensive line coach since he retired as a player after the 1982 season. During his 15 years as a player, he made the Pro Bowl eight times.

The only other black head coach in NFL history was Fritz Pollard, who was player-coach of the old Hammond Pros in Indiana from 1923-25.

Shanahan, 37, the youngest coach in the NFL, found himself at odds with Raider managing general partner Al Davis when the Raiders struggled to a 7-9 record last season and lost their last three games after an opening victory over San Diego this year.

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