| Derek Shell is returning to the MASCAC where he won a conference championship with Fitchburg State in 2013. MCLA athletics photo |
Derek Shell, who was the head coach at Fitchburg State for seven seasons, is returning to the MASCAC as the new head coach at Massachusetts College for the Liberal Arts (MCLA).
MCLA Athletic Director Laura Mooney announced Shell as the Trailblazers' new head coach, replacing Anthony Skiffington who elected not to pursue the position after the College turned it into a full-time post.
"I'd like to thank Laura and the search committee for the opportunity at MCLA. I'm very excited to get back into the MASCAC and lead this program going forward," Shell said.
Shell led MASCAC rival Fitchburg State from 2006 through 2013, compiling a 72-104 record over that seven-year span. His last victory with the Falcons came in the 2013 MASCAC tournament championship game when they defeated MCLA 80-72 for Fitchburg's first conference title. Fitchburg won the conference title again last season under Titus Manderson.
Following the 2012-2013 season, Shell left Fitchburg State to pursue his master's degree and then returned to Division III coaching as an assistant at Anna Maria College.
Shell takes over an MCLA program that has not had a winning season since it lost to Shell's Falcons in the 2013 title game. Last year the Trailblazers finished 6-19, 2-10 in the MASCAC.