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.
