ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACH CHRIS SHELLING

Former National Football League (NFL) player Chris Shelling returns for his second season on the sidelines for Northeast in 2009.

Shelling played four seasons (1991-94) with the Auburn Tigers. In 38 career games, Shelling made 262 total tackles (159 solos), had 11 interceptions, one of which, he returned for a touchdown and recorded 16 pass knockdowns and three quarterback sacks.

Following his collegiate career, Shelling played two seasons (1996-97) in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals after being signed as an un-drafted free agent on April 26, 1995.

In 16 games, Shelling made 15 solo tackles and knocked down one pass. Shelling made a season-high five solo tackles in the Bengals 26-23 loss to Miami on October 1, 1995 and equaled the feat in Cincinnati’s 27-24 victory over Minnesota on December 24. Shelling played as a reserve safety in two games with the Atlanta Falcons in 1997 and played in 20 games over two seasons in NFL Europe with the Rhein Fire after being selected in the 11th round (66th overall) of the NFL Europe Draft.

He made 89 total tackles (74 solo), knocked down 10 passes and intercepted two others as a member of the Fire. He played in Rhein’s 34-10 World Bowl victory over Frankfurt in 1998, earning Shelling his first championship ring as a professional.

Shelling finished fifth in the XFL and second on his team with 54 total tackles (39 solo) playing nine games with the Birmingham Thunderbolts in 2001.

Then the two-time all-star enjoyed a six-year (1998-2003) stay in the Canadian Football League with Hamilton after signing as a free agent with the Tiger-Cats on Oct. 7, 1998. In 82 career games with Hamilton, Shelling made 298 defensive tackles including 22 for 49 yards in losses, 26 special team tackles and 10 quarterback sacks.

He had nine interceptions, on of which he returned for a touchdown, three fumble returns, three forced fumbles and 17 pass knockdowns.

He was both a CFL and East Division All-Star in 2001, while also being named to the division team in 2000. He played in five playoff games with Hamilton, making 15 defensive tackles and won a Grey Cup in 1999.

Shelling began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Carver High School in Columbus, Ga., and then became a graduate assistant at Troy University in 2007 before accepting a coaching position at Northeast in 2008.
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