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Shell loses Raiders' head coaching job for second time
Art Shell has been fired as head coach of the Oakland Raiders for the second time in 13 years.
After a daylong meeting between Shell and owner Al Davis on Thursday, Davis decided to go a different direction with his head coaching position. The Raiders finished 2-14 this season, and the offense scored only 12 touchdowns in 16 games.
The sides were expected to meet again Friday morning to determine whether Shell would return as head coach in 2007 season, but two hours after Thursday's meeting, the decision was made: Shell was out as head coach.
"Al Davis and Art Shell met today and discussed the 2006 football season" the Raiders said in a statement. "While Art will no longer serve as head coach, he and Mr. Davis have discussed and will continue to discuss opportunities for Art to remain a valued member of the Raider organization."
Shell is expected to meet with his staff Friday to inform them that he's done as the Raiders' coach.
Shell was hired as head coach in February when Davis admitted he made a mistake in firing him in 1994. Shell's record as the Raiders' head coach was 56-41 from 1989-94. In 1989, Shell was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame after one of the most distinguished careers in Raiders history.
After Shell's firing in 1994, only one Raiders coach, Jon Gruden, had a winning tenure. Shell met with Davis last January, and Davis felt he needed to bring in a former Raider who believed in the team's tradition as head coach. Shell was given a two-year contract to turn the team around.
Shell and wide receiver Jerry Porter hit it off poorly during the offseason, and Porter barely played in 2006 even though he was healthy most of the season. Wide receiver Randy Moss complained about his frustrations about the Raiders' offense. By mid-season, Shell demoted offensive coordinator Tom Walsh, whom he hired from a dude ranch, and replaced him with John Shoop, the former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator who was coaching the tight ends.
Unfortunately for the Raiders, the offense didn't change. It still struggled to score points.
One possible candidate for the job might be on staff. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan turned around the defense, which started eight young players. Davis, however, likes to hire offensive head coaches, so it would go against Raiders tradition to hire a defensive coach.
At this stage, though, Davis is looking for any solution. In the past four years, the Raiders have had a 15-49 record.
Source: ESPN.com
After a daylong meeting between Shell and owner Al Davis on Thursday, Davis decided to go a different direction with his head coaching position. The Raiders finished 2-14 this season, and the offense scored only 12 touchdowns in 16 games.
The sides were expected to meet again Friday morning to determine whether Shell would return as head coach in 2007 season, but two hours after Thursday's meeting, the decision was made: Shell was out as head coach.
"Al Davis and Art Shell met today and discussed the 2006 football season" the Raiders said in a statement. "While Art will no longer serve as head coach, he and Mr. Davis have discussed and will continue to discuss opportunities for Art to remain a valued member of the Raider organization."
Shell is expected to meet with his staff Friday to inform them that he's done as the Raiders' coach.
Shell was hired as head coach in February when Davis admitted he made a mistake in firing him in 1994. Shell's record as the Raiders' head coach was 56-41 from 1989-94. In 1989, Shell was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame after one of the most distinguished careers in Raiders history.
After Shell's firing in 1994, only one Raiders coach, Jon Gruden, had a winning tenure. Shell met with Davis last January, and Davis felt he needed to bring in a former Raider who believed in the team's tradition as head coach. Shell was given a two-year contract to turn the team around.
Shell and wide receiver Jerry Porter hit it off poorly during the offseason, and Porter barely played in 2006 even though he was healthy most of the season. Wide receiver Randy Moss complained about his frustrations about the Raiders' offense. By mid-season, Shell demoted offensive coordinator Tom Walsh, whom he hired from a dude ranch, and replaced him with John Shoop, the former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator who was coaching the tight ends.
Unfortunately for the Raiders, the offense didn't change. It still struggled to score points.
One possible candidate for the job might be on staff. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan turned around the defense, which started eight young players. Davis, however, likes to hire offensive head coaches, so it would go against Raiders tradition to hire a defensive coach.
At this stage, though, Davis is looking for any solution. In the past four years, the Raiders have had a 15-49 record.
Source: ESPN.com