Feb. 7, 2006

By Eastern Oregon Sports Information

LA GRANDE, Ore.  - The Eastern Oregon University Athletic Department has announced that Ian Shields has been named the Mountaineer Head Football Coach. Shields was the successful candidate after a national search and will become the 11th head coach in program history.

"I am very pleased that Coach Shields has accepted my offer to lead our program," stated Director of Athletics Rob Cashell. "His reputation for demanding quality citizenship and high academic performance is impressive and his ability to teach and coach the game of football has been well chronicled throughout his career. In many ways this is a homecoming of sorts for Ian and his family."

Shields, an Oregon native and former Oregon State University quarterback, most recently has served as the offensive coordinator at Division 1-AA Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. The Mustangs finished 9-3, were ranked 9th in the nation and defeated the perennial power The University of Montana Grizzlies in the first round of the 1- AA playoffs at Grizzly Stadium. Shields coached an offense that set school records for rushing yards and touchdowns.

Prior to being at Cal Poly-SLO, Shields spent one season as offensive coordinator for 1-AA  Bucknell University. Bucknell led the Patriot league in passing efficiency, turnover margin and was the least penalized team. The offense improved in almost every statistical category during Shields' tenure. From 2000-2003 Shields was the offensive coordinator at 1-AA Saint Mary's College in California. While with Saint Mary's, Shields' led an offense that was the most productive in school history with numerous records shattered.

After a stellar career at Oregon State in football and a stint as a Graduate Assistant Coach with the Beavers, Shields was the offensive Coordinator for the EOU Mountaineers. The 1997-1999 teams are still considered by some as the best offensive teams ever at EOU. These teams set 35 school records and included alums Chuck Nyby, Kyle Washburn and Steve Goss.

Shields takes over a program that saw some success on the field posting a 6-3 record in 2005 but was hindered by off field issues. Prior to the start of the 2005 campaign 22 players were academically ineligible to compete and off campus problems with alcohol and underage drinking were well publicized.

"I am confident that Coach Shields will address the issues of academic performance and citizenship that has plagued the football program" stated Dr. Jeff Dense. Dense is the Faculty Athletics Representative and served as the Chair of the search committee for the head football coach. The opening attracted nearly 70 applications from across the country.

As a prep star at Oregon City, Shields was named the Oregon Football Player of the Year in 1988. He holds records for career touchdowns in rushing and passing and led the state in passing touchdowns in 1988. Prior to Oregon City, Shields lived in The Dalles, Salem and Pendleton.

Shields and his wife Norma, an EOU alumnus and former Mountaineer Volleyball standout have two sons Beau Bryant (3) and Jonah Robert (1). Shields, who has a Master Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Oregon State, will begin his duties immediately in preparation for the Mountaineer's 2006 inaugural season in the Frontier Conference.

View the original story at http://www.eou.edu/athletics/news/general/20060207_shieldshire.htm