Former Utah State head football coach Chuck Shelton passes away

LOGAN, Utah – Chuck Shelton, who served as Utah State’s 20th head football coach from 1986-91, passed away on Thursday at the age of 84.

During his six seasons at Utah State, Shelton’s Aggies posted a 26-39-1 (.402) record, including an impressive 25-16-1 (.607) mark in the Big West Conference. Shelton, who was named the Big West’s Co-Coach of the Year in 1991, is one of just six coaches in school history to have a 60.0 winning percentage in league play. During his final two years as head coach, Shelton led the Aggies to a combined 10-3 conference record.

Seven Aggies earned All-America honors under Shelton, including Kendal Smith, who was named a third-team All-American by The Associated Press following his senior season in 1988, when he was named the Big West Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Additionally, Al Smith was named the Big West Defensive Player of the Year in 1986, Shelton’s first year at USU, while Del Lyles was named the Big West Defensive Player of the Year in 1991, Shelton’s last season on the Aggie sidelines.

Shelton came to Utah State from Drake University, where he served as head coach from 1977-85, leading the Bulldogs to the 1981 Missouri Valley Conference Championship. Following his six years at USU, Shelton spent four years as the head coach at the University of Pacific. In all, he compiled an 81-127-1 head coaching record.

Ironically, Shelton was the head coach at two schools, Drake and Pacific, when they canceled their football program.

Shelton was born on Aug. 16, 1935, in Rolla, Mo., and led the state of Missouri in rushing in 1954. During the 1954 season, he averaged more than 12 yards per carry and led his team to an undefeated season.

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