Head Coach
Entering his 27th 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 190-87-1 (.685) record in 26 seasons as head coach of the Rams, and an overall record of 221-110-2 (.667) in 32 years as a head coach.
Cater's .667 winning percentage and 221 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 190-87-1 mark at Shepherd and also holds the all-time mark for WVIAC coaching titles with 13. His 190 wins at Shepherd are the most by any collegiate football coach at a college or university in West Virginia.
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.
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.
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. Dalevon Smith and James Rooths both earned First Team All-America honors for the Rams.
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 had one of its finest seasons ever in 2005 with a perfect 11-0 regular season mark 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 posted back-to-back undefeated regular seasons as Cater's 2006 team recorded a 10-0 record. The Rams proceeded to defeat Merrimack, 31-7, before dropping a 24-21 heartbreaker to Bloomsburg in the NCAA II Playoffs. The Rams finished eighth in the final AFCA NCAA II poll.
The 2007 Rams recorded a 10-2 overall mark and won its fourth consecutive WVIAC crown in the process. Cater's squad also made its third straight postseason appearance. Cater gained WVIAC Coach-of-the-Year honors for a record ninth time and became the first active coach to be inducted into the Shepherd Athletic Hall of Fame.
Cater's 2010 squad posted a record-setting 12-2 mark en route to winning the 12th WVIAC title during his tenure. The Rams won the NCAA II Super Region One title and advanced to the national semifinal game.
The Rams posted a 9-2 mark in 2011 and led NCAA II in total defense and scoring defense. Shepherd also ranked third in scoring offense.
Shepherd recorded a 8-3 overall mark and led NCAA II in rushing defense in 2012. The Rams captured a record-setting 18th WVIAC title and made their second postseason appearance in the last three seasons.
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.
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 recently served as a member of the NCAA Division II Football Committee with a stint as the regional chair. 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 5000
Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-5000
Phone: 800/344-5231 ext. 5263 | Fax: 304/876-3267
mcater@shepherd.edu
Ernie McCook
Ernie McCook
Assistant Head Football Coach
Offensive Coordinator
Entering his 14th year on the Shepherd staff as assistant head coach/offensive coordinator is Ernie McCook. McCook spent the 2009 season as running game coordinator/tight ends coach at Liberty University. He served as offensive coordinator for nine years and was offensive line coach for 10 years for Shepherd from 1999-2008. McCook was elevated to assistant head coach in 2007.
In 2011 Shepherd established a new season mark for most points per game with a 43.5 mark. The Rams also ranked third in NCAA II in that category (scoring offense).
In 2010 Shepherd set numerous season offensive marks, including most points (549), most total offense plays (964), and most total offense yards (5,960).
In 2007 Shepherd finished 10th in the nation in rushing offense (249.8) and 26th in scoring offense (35.7). Dervon Wallace led the nation in all-purpose yards per game (222.8), ranked 2nd in rushing yards per game (178.2), 3rd in rushing yards (2,138), and 5th in scoring (13.2). Ryan Pope, won the Rimington Award as the top center in NCAA II.
In 2006 Shepherd finished 25th in the nation in rushing offense (174.8) and 32nd in scoring offense (27.8). Dervon Wallace was ranked 11th in rushing (1,300), 13th in the country in scoring (9.0), 17th in rushing yards per game (108.3), and 19th in all-purpose yards (140.6).
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).
In 2000 Shepherd's Dalevon Smith led all NCAA II rushers (166.1 yards per game).
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).
Prior to joining Shepherd, McCook served as an assistant coach for Frostburg State University.
A 1992 graduate of Wesley College, McCook coached high school football at Beall and South River High Schools 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 Wesley from 1992-97. McCook helped lead the Wolverines to the 1993 Southeast ECAC championship.
McCook, an offensive lineman at Wesley, 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 Head Football Coach
Butcher Center P.O. Box 5000
Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-5000
Phone: 800/344-5231 ext. 5481 | Fax: 304/876-3267
emccook@shepherd.edu
Josh Kline
Josh Kline
Assistant Football Coach
Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
Entering his 11th season on the staff and third as defensive coordinator at Shepherd is Josh Kline.
Kline, a 2003 Shepherd graduate, previously worked with the Ram defensive line and special teams. Kline also serves as the secondary coach.
The Rams led NCAA II in rushing defense (52.64) and red zone defense (0.52) in 2012.
In Kline's first season as defensive coordinator in 2011, the Rams led NCAA II in rushing defense and total defense. Shepherd also set a new NCAA II team record for most interception returns for touchdowns with eight, while Elijah Davis tied an NCAA II individual mark with four interceptions for touchdowns.
In 2010 Ram return specialist Deante Steele set an NCAA II record with his 11th career kick return touchdown and gained All-Amercan honors for the third straight year. Additionally, Shepherd ranked second nationally in turnover margin and 11th in rushing defense.
In 2009 Steele earned All-American honors for the second consecutive year as he tied a pair of NCAA II records.
In 2008 Steele gained first team All-American honors in Kline's first season in charge of special teams.
All four starters on Kline's 2007 defensive line gained All-WVIAC honors with Mike Spiegelberg and Mike Heatwole earning first team honors.
Kline played for the Rams as a defensive lineman from 1998-2002. He was a member of the 1998 and 1999 WVIAC champion 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 Hagerstown, Maryland, with their two children, Bradley and Kaylee.
Josh Kline
Assistant Football Coach
Butcher Center P.O. Box 5000
Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-5000
Phone: 304-671-7712| Fax: 304/876-3267
jkline@shepherd.edu
Mike Silecchia
Mike Silecchia
Assistant Football Coach
Inside Linebackers
Entering his fifth season on the Shepherd staff is Mike Silecchia. Silecchia who coached the offensive line for one year and the wide receivers for two seasons, enters his second season coaching the inside linebackers.
Silecchia came to Shepherd from Widener University where he served as offensive coordinator for two seasons.
Prior to coaching at Widener, Silecchia was the assistant head coach/defensive coordinator at Kutztown in 2006-07 and was the offensive coordinator at Frostburg State from 2004-06.
He also served as the head coach at Lebanon Valley College from 1997-2004 and was the offensive line coach at Lycoming College from 1995-97.
Silecchia also had coaching stints at Mansfield University as defensive coordinator from 1985-95, as head coach at North Penn High School from 1983-84, and as head coach at Athens High School in 1982-83. He began his career as an assistant at Mansfield from 1978-82.
Silecchia earned his bachelor's degree from Mansfield in 1978 and added a master's degree in special education from Mansfield in 1984.
Over his coaching career, Silecchia's teams have participated in 14 national playoff appearances, an ECAC playoff, and a national championship appearance.
Silecchia and his wife, Sherry, are the parents of three sons, Nick, Ben, and Donald. They also have two grandaughters, Aaliyah and Alyssa.
Mike Silecchia
Assistant Football Coach
Butcher Center P.O. Box 5000
Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-5000
Phone: 304-671-7715 | Fax: 304/876-3267
msilecch@shepherd.edu
Joel Gordon
Joel Gordon
Assistant Football Coach
Quarterbacks
Entering his seventh season overall and third as quarterbacks coach is Joel Gordon.
In 2012 Shepherd quarterback Bobby Cooper set a school single game record with 430 passing yards against Fairmont State
In 2011 Gordon helped the Shepherd offense establish a new season mark for most points per game with a 43.5 mark. The Rams also ranked third in NCAA II in that category (scoring offense).
Gordon was the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Emory & Henry from 2008-10.
Gordon served as quarterbacks/wide receivers coach for the Rams from 2005-07 and as a student assistant in 2003. He helped Dan Chlebowski set the single season and career completion percentage marks.
He also had a stint at North Carolina Wesleyan under former Ram assistant Jack Ginn.
A 2003 graduate of Shepherd, Gordon was a four-year starter at quarterback for the Rams from 1999-2002. He led Shepherd to the WVIAC title and an NCAA 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 holds Shepherd career total offense mark for most attempts (1,177), most yards (7,677), and touchdowns responsible for (70).
Gordon spent a season with the Richmond Speed of the Arena Football League 2 in 2003 and played for the Winterthur Warriors of the Swiss League and led the Warriors to the championship in the SwissBowl in 2006.
Gordon resides in Shepherdstown.
Joel Gordon
Assistant Football Coach
Butcher Center P.O. Box 5000
Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-5000
Phone: 800/344-5231 ext. 5247 | Fax: 304/876-3267
jgordon@shepherd.edu
Wayne Wilson
Wayne Wilson
Assistant Football Coach
Tight Ends
Entering his ninth season on the staff at Shepherd is Wayne Wilson. Wilson coaches the tight ends.
One of Wilson's prize pupils, Dominique Jones, is a member of the Indianapolis Colts.
Wilson, a 1980 graduate of Shepherd, was a standout running back for the Rams from 1975-78. Wilson was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the 12th round of the NFL Draft in 1979.
He went on to a successful NFL career with the Oilers, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings, and Washington Redskins. Wilson spent the bulk of his career with the New Orleans Saints from 1979-86. Wilson set a team record in 1983 with three consecutive 100-yard rushing games en route to Team MVP honors. He led the Saints in rushing with 168 carries for 645 yards in 1985.
Wilson, inducted into 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 5000
Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-5000
Jeremy Overfelt
Jeremy Overfelt
Assistant Football Coach
Outside Linebackers/Strength & Conditioning
Entering his sixth season on the staff at Shepherd is Jeremy Overfelt. Overfelt came to Shepherd after serving as defensive backs/strength and conditioning coach at Marietta in 2007. Overfelt coaches the outside linebackers and runs the strength and conditioning program. He took over the special teams duties in 2011.
Overfelt, a 2002 graduate of Emory & Henry, was a four-year starter as a linebacker/defensive back for the Wasps. He coached the secondary for two seasons at Emory & Henry before serving a two-year stint as secondary coach at Morehead State where he gained his master's degree in sport administration. Prior to coaching at Marietta, Overfelt worked as a sports performance specialist at Velocity Sports Performance in Alexandria, Virginia.
Overfelt resides in Shepherdstown.
Daryl Hayes
Daryl Hayes
Assistant Football Coach
Fullbacks
Entering his seventh season on the Ram coaching staff is Daryl Hayes. Hayes, who previously assisted with the offensive line, now works with the fullbacks.
Hayes, who is employed as a teacher in the Jefferson County (WV) Schools, was on the Shepherd staff in 2004-05 and 2008.
He also had stints as head coach at St. James (MD) School and Shepherdstown Middle School. Hayes served an assistant at South Hagerstown (MD) High School for six years and two years at Hedgesville (WV) High School.
Hayes, who earned his bachelor's degree from Shepherd in 1995, played one year at conference foe West Liberty as a defensive lineman in 1991. He gained his master's degree from West Virginia University in 1997.
Hayes and his wife, Ronda, reside in Martinsburg with their sons, Nate and Josh.
Daryl Hayes
Assistant Football Coach
Butcher Center P.O. Box 5000
Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-5000
Ramal Faunteroy
Ramal Faunteroy
Assistant Football Coach
Defensive Line
Entering his fifth season on the staff at Shepherd is Ramal Faunteroy. Faunteroy works with the defensive line.
Faunteroy was a four-year player for the Rams as a defensive end. He was a member of the 1999 and 2004 WVIAC championship teams in which both went undefeated in conference play. He posted 88 tackles, 20 tackles-for-loss, 7 sacks, 8 pass breakups, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 safeties in his junior and senior seasons. Faunteroy held a pair of football strength and conditioning records for the defensive ends for bench press and power clean until they were recently broken.
He later played professionally with the Manchester Wolves of the Arena 2 Football League (A2FL). He started 23 regular season games and three playoff games for the Wolves before his career was cut short due to a shoulder injury.
Prior to coming to Shepherd, Faunteroy coached one season (2008) at Hedgesville (WV) High School where he served as the varsity wide receiver/defensive back coach and special teams coordinator.
Faunteroy, a 2011 Shepherd graduate, resides in Charles Town with his wife, Tiffany and three children, D'Andre, Devyn, and Ronté.
Ramal Faunteroy
Assistant Football Coach
Butcher Center P.O. Box 5000
Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-5000
rfaunt01@shepherd.edu
