Oakland Raiders top-10 head coaches in franchise history

7 of 10

Oakland head coach Art Shell during final minutes of the game as the Denver Broncos defeated the Oakland Raiders by a score of 17 to 13 at McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, California, November 12, 2006. (Photo by Robert B. Stanton/NFLPhotoLibrary) /

28. . 1989-94, 2006 Record: 56-52. . Art Shell. 4. team

When you think about Art Shell, you have to see him as a guy who was the ultimate Raider. A dominating player during his playing days, Shell took over as head coach of the team back in 1989, and turned the Silver and Black into a winning franchise once again.

During his time as a player, Shell won two Super Bowls, serving as an anchor on an elite offensive line. As a coach, the big fella led the Raiders to the playoffs three times, and put together a solid record of 54-38 from 1989-94. If you take out the debacle that was his return in 2006, he has one of the best winning percentages in Raiders history.

In the 2006 season, Shell and the Raiders went 2-14.

Starting his tenure in 1989, Shell made an immediate impact, and was named AFC Coach of the Year in his second season. He accomplished many things as the head coach of the Raiders, including being the first African-american man to lead an NFL team to a Conference Championship Game.

Al Davis fired Shell in 1994, after he led the team to a 9-7 record, and even Davis said it was a regrettable decision. A football lifer, Shell will go down as one of the most recognizable people in Raiders history, and it really is a shame that he never got the chance to be one of those rare individuals to win a Super Bowl as both a player, and a head coach.

Home/Las Vegas Raiders News