Dragons Hire Todd Shell as New Head Coach
February 26, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
(FEBRUARY 25 - UNIONDALE, NY) The New York Dragons named former San Jose Sabercats Head Coach Todd Shell as the second head coach in franchise history, the team announced today. Shell replaces John Gregory at the helm.
Serving as the first head coach in Sabercats history, Shell led his 1995 squad to a record of 8-4 and a Western Division Championship. His team became the first expansion franchise in AFL history to win a division title. After four seasons at the helm in San Jose, Shell compiled a record of 29-25 earning a playoff berth in three of four seasons.
Shell will debut behind the Dragons' bench this Sunday as the team hosts the undefeated Orlando Predators at Nassau Coliseum. The game will be televised regionally on NBC. "I'm very excited about the challenge," said Shell. "I have been offered several positions in the AFL over the last few years, but this opportunity was too good to pass up. As a head coach all you can ask for is supportive ownership. After doing my homework around the league, I know that Charles Wang, Sanjay Kumar and Russ Artzt are the best owners in the game."
"We are very pleased that Todd is taking over the Dragons. He has a great deal of experience in both the NFL and Arena Football League having worked with such great people as Bill Walsh and Danny White," said Dragons senior vice president Mike Picker. "In Todd we have a defensive mind, who is a great communicator and motivator. He is a proven winner."
Shell inherits the AFL's highest-scoring offense, led by 2001 Offensive Player of the Year, Aaron Garcia. "We already have one of the AFL's most potent offenses, so we're primarily going to look at making adjustments defensively...I learned a lot working with Danny White in Arizona and from the coaching staff when I played for the 49ers. When Bill Walsh is your head coach and the assistants are people like George Seifort, Dennis Green, Mike Holmgren and Ray Rhodes, you learn a lot about the game of football."
Shell was the San Francisco 49ers' 1984 first-round draft pick out of BYU where he proceeded to win two Super Bowl rings (1984 and 1988). Shell played five seasons in San Francisco before retiring due to injuries. He most recently worked as the color commentator for the Arizona Rattlers, where he served as defensive coordinator from 1992-1994.
The New York Dragons host Orlando at Nassau Coliseum this Sunday at 3pm. Great seats are still available by calling 1-866-AFL-TIXX.
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