Art Shell (born November 26, 1946 in Charleston, South Carolina, USA) is a former American football player in the National Football League (NFL) and current head coach of the Oakland Raiders, this being the second time he has coached the NFL franchise. He also holds the distinction of having been only the second African American head coach (after Fritz Pollard) in the history of the NFL, and the first in the league's modern era. Shell was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989. Shell was drafted by the Oakland Raiders from University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Playing offensive tackle, Shell participated in 24 playoff contests, including Super Bowls XI and XV, and was named to eight Pro Bowls.
As coach of the Raiders (at the time known as the "Los Angeles Raiders"), Shell compiled a record of 56 wins, 41 losses, and was named AFC Coach of the Year in 1990, when the Raiders won the AFC West division with a 12-4 record, and advanced to the AFC championship game in the playoffs. Al Davis, owner of the Raiders, fired Shell after a 9-7 season in 1994, a move Davis said he later regretted.
After leaving the Raiders, Shell went on to coaching positions with the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons, before serving as a senior vice president for the NFL, in charge of football operations and development.
Shell was officially re-hired by the Raiders as head coach on February 11, 2006.
Shell is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans.
