A Great Man Takes over the Reigns at Lenoir-Rhyne and Brings the Triple Option with Him
January 14, 2014
Lenoir-Rhyne has hired Ian Shields as their Head Football Coach, and the Triple Option stays in Hickory.
A friend of mine called me last night and told me, “Lou, I know who is getting the Lenoir-Rhyne job, but I can’t tell you who’s getting the Lenoir-Rhyne job; however, you’re going to like it.”
I knew right away about who he was discussing (hint the pic of Ian from last night’s article).
I met Ian in 2003 when he was the Offensive Coordinator at Bucknell. He was there with his close friend and current Citadel Offensive Coordinator, Brent Thompson. Eventually, Bucknell hired current Navy Run Game Coordinator, Ashley Ingram.
All three of these coaches were destined for something better–they were AMAZING coaches way back then.
Ian went back to the West Coast in 2004 and coached at Cal Poly for five years before going to West Point as the Offensive Coordinator.
During his time at West Point, I got to spend a lot of time with Ian discussing various techniques and assignments involving the Triple Option.
Ian allowed me to sit in on meetings and watch how he would teach his Quarterbacks. He is fanatical, and I mean fanatical about perfect ball security.
This off-season has demonstrated that the Under-Center Triple Option is here to stay. With Coach Monk to Army, Coach Brent Thompson as the Offensive Coordinator to Citadel, and Coach Shields to Lenoir-Rhyne, the Triple Option will continue to show no mercy for many, many years to come. I wish him all the best! –Dr. Cella
Here is Lenoir-Rhyne’s press release on Ian.
Triple Option Football Academy — Online Education for Coaches
