Former Chargers offensive coordinator Clarence Shelmon retired from NFL coaching because of the “mental anguish” over being unable to advance his career as a Black coach, he said on The Athletic podcast series “Between the Lines.” Here’s what you need to know:
- Shelmon, who retired at age 59, told host Tashan Reed on an episode released Tuesday that he “didn’t want to keep banging his head up against that wall,” referring to never getting the opportunity to be a head coach. “The emotional, the mental, the psychological, the physical toll it takes on you, I decided, for me, it was best for me to walk away and not subject myself to that any longer.”
- He added: “Why would you put yourself through that emotionally, mentally, physically, psychologically, year after year after year after year? And you keep producing and nothing tangible happens from it.”
- Shelmon said he retired despite still being able to earn in the “high six figures” because “the money didn’t mean that much to me in regards to my integrity, my pride and how I felt about myself after that. So I chose to walk away.”
Backstory
Shelmon was the offensive coordinator for the Chargers for five years, from 2007-2011. The team never ranked below fifth in offensive points during his tenure. In his penultimate season, the Chargers ranked No. 1 in yards and No. 2 in points.
Advertisement
Shelmon was previously the Chargers’ running backs coach for five seasons and spent extended time with the Cowboys and Seahawks in the same role. His coaching career lasted nearly 40 years, more than 20 of them in the NFL.
In the episode, Reed describes Shelmon as his era’s version of Eric Bieniemy in that he helped run a highly successful offense but, in Shelmon’s case, ultimately didn’t get the chance to be a head coach.
“I’m just done. You know when it’s time. It’s time for me to go and do some other things with my life,” Shelmon said in a statement when he announced his retirement.
For more from Shelmon’s interview, go to The Athletic Football Show podcast feed to listen to the latest episode of “Between the Lines,” a deep dive into how America’s biggest game grapples with America’s biggest issue.
(Photo: Jeff Roberson / AP Photo)
ncG1vNJzZmismJqutbTLnquim16YvK57k2tsbGlmbXxzfJFsZmlqX2eFcK%2FLmqmeppOaerS0xKWkqKZdo7OtecGeq7CdlaN6tbTEZqOippWoerG7w5yYrKxf