Northeast Mississippi Community College Athletics

Cedric Shell, who played collegiately at the NCAA Division I level and has nearly two decades of coaching experience, was named as Northeast Mississippi Community College’s defensive backs instructor in 2019.  

Shell transitioned to linebackers coach for the Tigers ahead of the 2020 campaign and has since built one of the strongest groups from top-to-bottom at that position in the entire nation. 

His linebacking corps is a big reason why Northeast topped the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) in fewest yards allowed per game in the fall of 2022. 

Triston Newson led the way by become only the third player in the modern era of Northeast football to accumulate more than 100 tackles. He signed with the University of Missouri after obtaining National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) first-team All-American accolades. 

Jamarcus Smith headlined Shell’s unit in 2020 as an all-conference and first-team Fall All-America selection. He also became the first Northeast student-athlete to receive College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America distinction.  

Carter Bonds, Tayvius Duckett and Smith were the top three tacklers for the Tigers with a combined 156 stops. Another of Shell’s stars in Anthony Scott inked a NCAA Division I scholarship with Alabama State University. 

Smith made more history in 2021 as the first player to ever lead Northeast in tackling for three consecutive campaigns. The University of West Alabama signee also repeated as a CoSIDA Academic All-America winner. 

Shell spent the previous five years in various roles at Coahoma Community College, including most recently as co-defensive coordinator. He got his professional start in the Midwest at Graceland (Iowa) University and McPherson (Kan.) College.  

Shell’s defenses at Coahoma consistently ranked near the top of the MACCC standings in multiple statistical categories. His 2017 unit ranked fifth in the state by allowing 351.6 yards per game.  

The 2016 edition of the Tigers snagged 14 interceptions, which was the second most in the MACCC behind only Northwest Mississippi Community College.  

That team featured defensive back Antonio Nelson, who was selected as a first-team All-American by the NJCAA after finishing second in the country with eight interceptions.  

Nelson also collected NJCAA All-Region 23 and All-MACCC recognition while under the watch of Shell. He added two fumble recoveries for a total of 10 takeaways that season.  

Shell also tutored Acieon Hopkins, who was an All-MACCC recipient at defensive back after posting 17 tackles, four pass break ups and two interceptions during the 2018 campaign at Coahoma.  

The Greenville product originally served the Tigers on the opposite side of the pigskin as their offensive coordinator upon his arrival prior to the 2014 season. He taught three All-MACCC standouts while in that capacity for two years.  

K’Shun Evans, who went on to sign with Delta State University, was Shell’s first athlete at Coahoma to garner postseason laurels after hauling in 42 catches for over 500 yards and five touchdowns.  

Devonta Jones and Marvin Davidson followed in Evans’ footsteps one season later. Jones tallied 28 receptions for nearly 400 yards and three scores while Davidson anchored the Tigers’ offensive line.  

He began his coaching career at McPherson from 2006-11. His duties ranged from working with wide receivers and defensive backs to pass game coordinator and special teams coordinator.  

Shell and the Bulldogs reached the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) playoffs in back-to-back campaigns from 2009-10. McPherson compiled a sensational 19-3 record during that two-year stretch.  

He helped the Bulldogs capture the 2010 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) championship after completing an undefeated regular season. It was the first league title for McPherson, which earned a final national ranking of No. 12 from the NAIA, since 1952.  

Shell’s final stop before moving back to his native state was at Graceland. He was the wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator for the Yellowjackets of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) from 2012-13.  

Raysean Brown was a two-time All-HAAC honoree during his pair of campaigns under Shell after recording 82 catches, 1,251 yards and 12 touchdowns. Punter Cody Thornton averaged 42.8 yards per boot to secure All-HAAC honors as well in 2013.  

Shell was a two-year letterwinner at both wideout and defensive back for Alcorn State University. He lifted the Braves to a 6-5 mark during his senior season of 2001, which included a 5-2 record against Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) foes and a win over rival Mississippi Valley State University.  

He graduated from the now-defunct T.L. Weston High School. Shell, who holds a Bachelor’s degree from Alcorn State, and his wife Jaime have three children, Cedric, Jr., Eris and Blake.