Monte Cater
Monte Cater
Head Football Coach
Entering his 21st season as head coach of the Rams is Monte Cater, a 1971 graduate of Millikin University. Cater was appointed the program's 12th head coach on February 9, 1987 and served as Shepherd's director of athletics from 1993-2004. Shepherd's all-time winningest football coach, Cater boasts a 140-69-1 (.669) record in 20 seasons as head coach of the Rams, and an overall record of 171-92-2 (.649) in 26 years as a head coach.
Cater's .649 winning percentage and 171 victories both rank among the top totals in the NCAA II coaching ranks among active coaches. He is the all-time leader in WVIAC coaching victories with his 140 wins at Shepherd and also holds the all-time mark for WVIAC coaching titles with 10.
Cater wasted little time establishing himself as a winner at Shepherd as he led the Rams to a tie for the WVIAC title in 1988.
The 1990 season was Cater's first with a senior class that he recruited and the results were visible in the win-loss column.
A 6-3-1 record in 1990 earned the Rams a second-place finish in the WVIAC and served as a prelude to a two-year run of domination through the conference. Cater led the 1991 team to an 8-3 record and the school's first NAIA Playoff appearance since 1986. Although the Rams fell in the first round of the playoffs, they had established themselves as the team to beat in the WVIAC and finished the season ranked sixth nationally.
The 1992 season proved to be one of Cater's best as head coach of the Rams as Shepherd compiled a 9-3 overall record, which included their second straight 7-0 mark in the WVIAC.
The 1992 post-season brought another chapter to the rich history of Ram football as they won their first-ever NAIA playoff game with a 6-3 win at playoff-nemesis Carson-Newman to advance to the national semifinals for the first time in school history. For his efforts, Cater was tabbed the WVIAC Coach-of-the-Year in 1991 and 1992.
In 1997 Cater earned WVIAC Coach-of-the-Year honors leading the Rams to a 9-1 mark and a share of the WVIAC title. The Rams earned their first-ever NCAA Division II ranking, and set a new school record for scoring with 340 points.
In 1998 Cater again earned WVIAC Coach-of-the-Year honors in leading Shepherd a 10-2 mark as WVIAC champions. Shepherd made its first appearance in the NCAA II Playoffs and upset Indiana (PA), 9-6 in the first round, before falling to Slippery Rock, 31-20 in the quarterfinals.
Cater earned WVIAC Coach-of-the-Year honors for the third consecutive season in 1999 as the Shepherd posted a 9-2 mark and returned to the NCAA II Playoffs.
Cater's 2000 squad posted a 7-3 mark with the three losses coming by a total of 12 points. Dalevon Smith, who led the NCAA II in rushing, and James Rooths both earned First Team All-America honors.
The Rams used a 6-0 start en route to an 8-2 record in 2001.
Cater led the Rams to a 7-3 mark in 2002. Shepherd finished just a win shy of the WVIAC title.
The Rams rebounded from a 0-3 start in 2004 with a 7-0 run in conference play to gain their eighth conference title under Cater. Shepherd recorded a perfect league mark for the fifth time in the Cater era.
In 2005 Shepherd posted a perfect 11-0 regular season before falling to C.W. Post in The NCAA II Playoffs. Cater was named WVIAC Coach of the Year and also grabbed Coach of the Year honors for 2005-06 from The Journal.
Shepherd had arguably its finest season ever in 2006 with a 10-0 regular season and a convincing 31-7 win over Merrimack in the NCAA II Playoffs before dropping a 24-21 decision to Bloomsburg in the quarterfinal round. Cater gained WVIAC Coach of the Year honors for a record eighth time.
In his 20 seasons at Shepherd, Cater has coached 234 WVIAC All-Stars and 32 All-Americans.
Prior to coming to Shepherd, Cater was the primary architect in reviving the Lakeland College program in Sheboygan, WI. In six seasons as the head coach at Lakeland, Cater transformed the program into a winner as the team won three conference titles in his last four seasons, while he garnered Coach-of-the-Year honors twice during that time.
Cater began his collegiate coaching career as an offensive line coach at his alma mater, where he would also serve as co-offensive coordinator. During his stay at Millikin, the Big Blue posted a record of 28-8. He has also served as the head coach at Assumption High School (Assumption, IL) and as an assistant coach at both Sparta and Mater Dei High Schools in Illinois before moving up to the college ranks.
Cater was selected as a member of the NCAA Division II Football Committee in 2005. One of eight members on the national committee, Cater will serve as co-chair of the Northeast Regional Committee. A member of the AFCA Board of Coaches, which conducts the NCAA II Football Poll, Cater earned his B.A. in physical education from Millikin in 1971, before moving to SIU-Carbondale, where he earned his master's in physical education as well.
Cater and his wife, Bonnie, reside in nearby Martinsburg, with their daughter, Taylor, and son, Logan.
Monte Cater
Head Football Coach
Butcher Center P.O. Box 3210
Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-3210
Phone: 800/344-5231 ext. 5263 | Fax: 304/876-3267
mcater@shepherd.edu
Joel Gordon
Joel Gordon
Assistant Football Coach
Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers
Entering his third season as quarterbacks/wide receivers coach at Shepherd is Joel Gordon, who came to Shepherd after coaching at North Carolina Wesleyan College under former Ram assistant coach Jack Ginn.
In 2006 Ram quarterback Dan Chlebowski set new Shepherd records for single season completion percentage (.699) and career completion percentage (.606) under Gordon's tutelage.
A 2003 graduate of Shepherd, Gordon was a four-year starter at quarterback for the Rams. He led Shepherd to the WVIAC title and an NCAA II Playoff appearance in 1999. A three-year team captain, Gordon holds Shepherd career records for passing yards (7,236), completions (522), pass attempts (977), and touchdowns (66). He also hold Ram career total offense marks for most attempts (1,177), most yards (7,677) and touchdowns responsible for (70).
Gordon spent a season in 2003 with the Richmond Speed, of the Arena Football League 2.
Gordon resides in Martinsburg.
Joel Gordon
Assistant Football Coach
Butcher Center P.O. Box 3210
Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-3210
Phone: 800/344-5231 ext. 5247 | Fax: 304/876-3267
jgordon@shepherd.edu
Bob Haley
Bob Haley
Assistant Football Coach
Defensive Coordinator
In his ninth year as the Ram defensive coordinator is Bob Haley, a 10-year veteran of the Shepherd coaching staff. Haley replaced current WVU assistant coach Jeff Casteel, who played under Haley at California (PA).
In 2006 Haley helped lead a Shepherd defense that ranked first nationally in scoring defense (7.3) and passes intercepted (26.0). The Rams also ranked fourth in pass efficiency defense (86.5) and seventh in total defense (233.7). The Ram defense set a single season record with six shutout wins.
In 2005 the Ram defense led the nation in pass efficiency defense with an 85.0 mark. Shepherd was also ranked second in turnover margin (+1.8), third in scoring defense (11.8), and ninth in total defense.
In 2004 the Rams led the league in scoring defense (16.2 average) en route to a 7-0 WVIAC mark as conference champions.
In 2002 Haley's defense was ranked 27th in scoring defense (17.6) and 33rd in pass efficiency defense (104.6).
In 2001 Haley helped lead a Shepherd defense that was ranked 11th in the nation in pass efficiency defense (89.67), 20th in rushing defense (106.2), and 21st in the nation in scoring defense (16.7). The Rams posted one shutout and held four other teams to 14 points or less.
In 2000 the Ram defense was ranked 17th in the nation in scoring defense (17.1), 22nd in pass efficiency defense, and 23rd in rushing defense (122.3).
In 1999 Haley returned to the Shepherd coaching staff after a one-year hiatus and helped lead a Ram defense that was ranked fourth in the nation in rushing defense (64.7), sixth in total defense (236.7), seventh in scoring defense (12.5), eighth in pass efficiency defense (83.8), and tied for eighth in turnover margin (1.30). As defensive backs coach for the Rams in 1997, Haley helped lead Shepherd to the WVIAC crown.
Haley was an assistant coach for 14 years at California (PA), including the final 10 as the defensive coordinator.
At California, Haley coached 12 players to All-Conference status during his final four years and helped the team to 1984 PSAC Championship. In the 1984 PSAC title game against Bloomsburg, Haley's unit held the Huskies to just 33 yards passing and minus 18 yards rushing in the second half of a 21-14 victory.
Prior to coming to Shepherd in 1997, Haley was the defensive coordinator for four years at Ringgold (PA) High School.
Haley was a two-year starter in the secondary at the University of Maryland and also earned a tryout with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Haley earned his master's degree while coaching at California and helped the Vulcans defeat Shepherd 15-14 in 1982, 13-6 in 1983, and 34-21 in 1986.
Haley, and his wife, Denise, reside in Hagerstown, Maryland, with their daughter, Hannah.
Bob Haley
Assistant Football Coach
Butcher Center P.O. Box 3210
Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-3210
Phone: 800/344-5231 ext. 5448 | Fax: 304/876-3267
rhaley@shepherd.edu
Ernie McCook
Ernie McCook
Assistant Football Coach
Offensive Coordinator
Entering his eighth season as offensive coordinator and ninth as the offensive line coach at Shepherd is Ernie McCook, who came to Shepherd after serving as the offensive line coach at Frostburg State University.
In 2006 Shepherd finished 25th in the nation in rushing offense (174.8). Ram running back Dervon Wallace was ranked 13th in scoring (9.0) and 17th in rushing (108.3). Ram offensive lineman Ryan Pope gained third team AP Little All-America honors.
In 2005 Shepherd finished 21st in the nation in scoring offense (34.8). Dervon Wallace was ranked fourth in the country in scoring (13.5) and 27th in rushing (115.8).
In 2004 McCook's offense led the WVIAC in scoring offense with a 32.0 average. The Ram offensive line yielded a league-low 11 sacks in 10 games.
In 2001 McCook helped the Rams finish 17th in the nation in scoring offense (36.8).
In 2000 Shepherd running back Dalevon Smith led all NCAA II rushers with a 166.1 per game average.
In 1999 McCook helped Shepherd finish fifth in the nation in scoring offense (40.2), eighth in rushing offense (277.4), and ninth in total offense (453.3).
While coaching at Frostburg, McCook was responsible for the run game coordination and off-season strength and conditioning, while also serving as an instructor in the school's physical education department.
A 1992 graduate of Wesley College, McCook coached high school football at Beall High School and South River High School in Maryland. In 1991 McCook spent one season at Susquehanna University, where he helped lead the Crusaders to the semifinals of the NCAA III Playoffs.
McCook returned to coach at his alma mater from 1992-1997. After serving as defensive line coach in 1991-92, McCook shifted to the offensive line coach from 1993-97. McCook helped lead the Wolverines to the Southeast ECAC championship in 1993. While at Wesley, McCook's offensive line helped pave the way for record-setting running back Brandon Steinham, a finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy.
McCook was an offensive lineman and long snapper at Wesley, where he earned a B.S. degree in physical education.
McCook earned a master's degree in sport science-sports management from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Alabama, in 1999.
McCook, and his wife, Beth, reside in Hagerstown, Maryland, with their son, Michael, and daughters, Molly and Madison.
Ernie McCook
Assistant Football Coach
Butcher Center P.O. Box 3210
Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-3210
Phone: 800/344-5231 ext. 5442 | Fax: 304/876-3267
emccook@shepherd.edu
Tom Rogish
Tom Rogish
Assistant Football Coach
Linebackers/Special Teams
Entering his second season at Shepherd is Tom Rogish, who came to Shepherd after coaching at Indiana (Pa.) University from 1986-2005.
Rogish serves as linebackers/special teams coach for the Rams.
Rogish is a 1973 graduate of IUP where he was an All-American linebacker.
Rogish held a number of coaching responsibilities at IUP, including defensive coordinator and associate head coach.As defensive coordinator his 199 team was ranked second in the nation in total and scoring defense and third in rushing defense. The Indians were fourth in scoring defense in 1900 under Rogish.
Rogish spent five years at Juniata before moving on to Lehigh where he served as linebackers coach for two seasons. He became head coach at Southern Huntingdon (PA) High School before joining the IUP staff in 1986.
Rogish and his wife, Marcia, have two sons. Jody is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon with a degree in management information systems and Jeff is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy.
Tom Rogish
Assistant Football Coach
Butcher Center P.O. Box 3210
Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-3210
Phone: 800/344-5231 ext. 5499 | Fax: 304/876-3267
trogish@shepherd.edu
Josh Kline
Josh Kline
Assistant Football Coach
Defensive Line
Entering his fourth season on the staff at Shepherd is Josh Kline.
Kline, a 2003 Shepherd graduate, works with the Ram defensive line. He is also in charge of the Ram strength and conditioning program.
In 2006 the Shepherd defense ranked first nationally in scoring defense (7.3) and passes intercepted (26.0). The Rams also ranked fourth in pass efficiency defense (86.5) and seventh in total defense (233.7).
Kline played for the Rams as a defensive lineman from 1999-2002.
He was a member of the 1998 and 1999 WVIAC championship teams and served as a team captain as a senior in 2002.
Kline earned a master's degree in curriculum and instruction in physical education from Shepherd in 2005.
Kline and his wife, Kim, also a 2003 Shepherd graduate, reside in Boonsboro, Maryland with their son, Bradley.
Josh Kline
Assistant Football Coach
Butcher Center P.O. Box 3210
Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-3210
Phone: 800/344-5231 ext. 5483 | Fax: 304/876-3267
jkline@shepherd.edu
Wayne Wilson
Wayne Wilson
Assistant Football Coach
Wide Receivers
Entering his third season on the Shepherd football staff is Wayne Wilson. Wilson served as running backs coach his first season and now works with the wide receivers.
Wilson, a 1980 graduate of Shepherd, was a standout running back for the Rams from 1975-78. He was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the 12th round of the NFL Draft in 1979.
Wilson went on to a successful career with the Oilers, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings, and Washington Redskins. Wilson spent the bulk of his career with the Saints from 1979-86. Wilson set a team record with three consecutive 100-yard rushing games in 1983 en route to Team MVP honors. He led the Saints in rushing in 1986 with 168 carries for 645 yards in 1985.
Wilson, inducted into the Shepherd Athletic Hall of Fame in the initial class in 1986, resides in Shepherdstown with his wife, Barbra
Wayne Wilson
Assistant Football Coach
Butcher Center P.O. Box 3210
Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-3210
2006 Shepherd Football Staff
