Chance Powell is in his 14th season as an assistant coach at Shippensburg University. The second-longest tenured SU assistant coach continues to work with the wide receivers.
Last season, SU set 55 school records on offense while the unit ranked second in Division II for passing offense (387.69). Among the many beneficiaries was senior wide receiver Jacob Baskerville, who set three single-season receiving records (catches (85), receiving yards (1,405) and 100-yard games (eight)) and was named the Most Improved Red Raider at season’s end.
Powell has worked with some of the best receivers in school history over the past 10 years, including Melvin Scott, Patrick Ferguson and AFCA All-American Mike Harris – who finished his senior season in 2009 as the PSAC Eastern Division Player of the Year.
Harris concluded his tenure at Shippensburg as just the 14th player in PSAC history to compile 3,000 receiving yards and broke the SU record for career receptions (197) and the most career games with a touchdown catch (20).
Scott ranks among the Top 10 in school history for career receiving touchdowns (22), receiving yards (1,899) and receptions (103). Ferguson was a three-time All-PSAC Western Division First Team selection from 2003-06 who finished his career with 20 receiving touchdowns and 1,702 receiving yards.
In 2010, Shippensburg threw for 2,573 yards – the most in one season since 1999 and the third-most in the history of the program. The Red Raiders averaged 15.4 yards per reception and 214.4 receiving yards per game. A school-record 27 touchdown passes were thrown by quarterback Chad DiFebbo to six different receivers.
In 2007, Powell’s first with the title of passing game coordinator, Shippensburg ranked fifth in the conference in pass offense. The team’s 189 receptions were the second-highest in school history and the most since the Red Raiders set a school record with 197 in 1983.
In 2004, Shippensburg totaled 1,770 yards and 17 touchdowns receiving, the most in five seasons while averaging 18.4 yards per catch, the highest total in 10 seasons under Powell. Powell’s first season with the Red Raiders in 2000 featured a receiving corps that averaged 13.2 yards per reception and scored 19 of the team’s 38 touchdowns.
A 1987 graduate of Shippensburg, Powell was a linebacker and running back for the Red Raiders from 1983-86. Following a year on the Red Raider coaching staff as a volunteer assistant coach in 1987, Powell coached the ninth grade team at Shippensburg Area High School in 1988. He then was an assistant coach for six seasons from 1989-94 before taking over as head coach of Greyhounds in 1995, a position he held for five seasons.
Powell currently lives in Shippensburg with his wife Kimberly, daughters T.J. and Kari, and son Lek.
PERSONAL
Alma Mater: Shippensburg ‘87
Family: Wife, Kimberly; Children, T.J., Kari, Lek
Years in Coaching: 26
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Shippensburg University
2000-present* Assistant Coach/Wide Receivers
1987 Volunteer Assistant Coach
Shippensburg Area Senior High School
1995-99 Head Coach
1989-1994 Assistant Coach
1988 Ninth Grade Head Coach
* Powell was the passing game coordinator from 2007-10.
