Bell Adds Four To Massachusetts Football Staff

AMHERST, Mass. - University of Massachusetts football head coach Walt Bell introduced four members of his staff on Thursday in Cedric Douglas, Micah James, Tommy Restivo and Matt Shadeed. Douglas oversees the defensive line while James assists Jim Jackson with the offensive line. Restivo serves as the co-defensive coordinator alongside Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, while Restivo also coaches the linebackers. Shadeed fills the role of director of sports performance coach.

Douglas joins the program following time spent coaching at the scholastic and collegiate levels over the prior seven years, including most recently at Arkansas State where he helped the Red Wolves reach back-to-back bowl games in 2017 and 2018.

"When the opportunity to work under Walt Bell, understanding the vision he has for the UMass football program, as it's new defensive line coach came to me I was extremely excited," Douglas said. "This University has the ability to produce an athletic and academic experience that is unlike any other, and so I am extremely excited to do my part to help this program reach its highest potential."

James joined the Massachusetts staff following graduate assistantships at Arkansas State during the 2015 and 2016 seasons, at Maryland in 2017 and at UCF during 2018.

"I am honored to be a part of the coaching staff at UMass under the leadership of my long-time mentor and friend, Walt Bell," James said. "I've had the opportunity for the last five years to witness Coach Bell's work ethic and dedication. He has served as a shinning example of what true leadership looks like. I look forward to partnering with Coach (Jim) Jackson to bring excellence to the offensive line and to be a part of the outstanding coaching team that Walt has assembled. I am excited about our future and making the vision Coach Bell has cast for UMass a reality."

Restivo arrives in Amherst after he spent one year at USF as the safeties coach. He brings multiple tenures as a defensive coordinator with him as he filled the role at South Carolina State in 2014, '15 and '17 and at McNeese State in 2016.

"I am excited to be a part of this outstanding university and its football tradition," Restivo said. "I am ready to get to work with Coach Bell and the excellent coaching staff he has assembled at UMass. I am ready to get to work and win games here in Amherst."

Shadeed joins the staff after a two-year stint at Baylor, where he served as the Director of Athletic Performance and oversaw strength and conditioning efforts for the nationally-ranked women's basketball program. Prior to his tenure at Baylor, Shadeed led Arkansas State from 2014-17 as the assistant athletic director for athletics performance and also worked with the Ole Miss football program in 2012-13.

"My family and I cannot begin to express our excitement about the opportunities that lie ahead for UMass football with Coach Bell at the helm," Shadeed said. "Walt and I have essentially come up together in our profession, and because of our relationship there is unwavering alignment on how we want to train, teach and grow our young men. For him to entrust the cultural and physical components of his football program to our sports performance staff is truly humbling. We are excited to hit the ground running."

Below is full bio information on each addition to the staff. Follow Massachusetts football on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@UMassFootball). Keep up-to-date on all 21 varsity programs via UMassAthletics.com.

Cedric Douglas • Defensive Line Coach

Alma Mater: Northern Michigan '11
Year at Massachusetts: First

University of Massachusetts football head coach Walt Bell introduced Cedric Douglas as the team's defensive line coach on Thursday. Douglas joins the program following time spent coaching at the scholastic and collegiate levels over the prior seven years.

"Cedric is a great young coach with a true passion for defensive line play," Bell said. "I know he is going to do an incredible job developing the techniques and fundamentals of the position. He is also a great recruiter with strong ties within the junior college system."

Most recently, Douglas helped Arkansas State reach back-to-back bowl games in 2017 and 2018, during which he was a graduate assistant working with the defensive line. His efforts in guiding the defensive line led to a pair of major awards for Red Wolves standouts as Ja'Von Rolland-Jones won 2017 Sun Belt Player of the Year and Ronheen Bingham followed as the 2018 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year. Both also won All-Sun Belt First Team during their respective seasons.

The 2018 Arkansas State team went 8-5 overall, including five wins in the Sun Belt and earned a berth in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl. The defensive line featured prominently into the team's success as the Red Wolves' overall defense ranked among the nation's leaders in tackles for loss (No. 13), total defense (No. 17), first down defense (No. 21) and red zone defense (No. 27).

Arkansas State finished Douglas' first year with the team sporting a 7-5 overall record, a 6-2 mark in the Sun Belt and an appearance in the Camellia Bowl. The defense again ranked among the nation's most prolific, including a spot in the top-10 with 8.8 tackles for loss per game (No. 6).

Douglas spent 2016 as defensive line coach and academic liaison at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. During his lone season at Hutchinson, the Blue Dragons defense ranked No. 12 in the nation in scoring defense (18.0 ppg), No. 10 in total defense (242.0 ypg) and No. 13 in rushing defense (91.0 ypg).

Hutchinson's defense at Hutchinson led the conference and ranked 14th nationally in sacks with 44, and the defensive line accounted for 24.5 of those to go along with 74.5 tackles for loss.

Douglas tutored two All-Region VI First Team selections, including Ronheen Bingham and J.J. Holmes. He also coached second team all-conference pick Tayland Humphrey, the No. 1 JUCO defensive tackle in the nation for his signing class.

Douglas went to Hutchinson after serving as the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas during 2015. The Red Ravens posted an 8-3 record, while their offense ranked No. 5 in the nation in scoring (over 50 ppg) and No. 8 in total offense (over 480 ypg). He coached Second Team All-Jayhawk Conference selection Trevor Neloms as well.

The 2013 and 2014 seasons saw Douglas coach at Ave Maria University in Florida in multiple roles.

Working as the running backs and return specialist coach in 2013, Douglas was part of the staff that achieved the program's first winning season while also being recognized as the NAIA Independent Conference champions. The Ave Maria staff was selected to coach the NAIA All-Star Team in the NAIA vs. Division II All-Star game.

During 2013, Douglas tutored USCAA All-America running back Scott Jones, who led the team with 12 rushing touchdowns, while the kick return unit averaged 23.2 yards per attempt. Ave Maria went 8-2 overall on the year, the most wins in a single season in the history of the program.

Douglas was promoted to recruiting coordinator in 2014 and also moved from running backs coach to wide receivers coach. The 2014 season saw his receiving corps post over 2,200 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns, both of which led the conference. He coached Travis Makauskas, who led the league in receptions, yards and touchdowns and was selected for the 2014 NAIA vs. D2 All-Star Game.

Douglas began his coaching career at Lincoln High School in the fall of 2012, operating as the varsity outside linebackers and running backs coach. He helped lead the team to a 6-3 record, and the squad produced three all-conference players.

The Milan, Michigan, native was a member of the Northern Michigan University football team from 2007-11, appearing in 35 games as a linebacker and defensive end while recording 89 tackles, 9.0 sacks and two interceptions.

Douglas earned his bachelor's degree in special education/secondary education in 2011.

Micah James • Co-Offensive Line Coach

Alma Mater: Middle Tennessee State '12
Year at Massachusetts: First

University of Massachusetts football head coach Walt Bell announced the addition of Micah James to the football staff on Thursday. A graduate of Bell's alma mater, Middle Tennessee State, James will assist offensive line coach Jim Jackson.

"I'm glad Micah shares my vision for this program," Bell said. "He will undoubtedly help us develop our offensive line group alongside Jim Jackson, with an emphasis on the run game. He is a great mentor and teacher."

James joined the Massachusetts staff following graduate assistantships at Arkansas State during the 2015 and 2016 seasons, at Maryland in 2017 and at UCF during 2018.

James' work with UCF included time spent coaching the offensive side of the game as the No. 12 nationally ranked Knights went 12-1 overall, swept its eight-game American Athletic Conference schedule, won the AAC Championship Game and earned a spot in the Fiesta Bowl.

During his season with the Terrapins, James worked on the offensive side of the ball alongside Bell and assisted in the development of receiver D.J. Moore. With James' help, Moore eared All-Big Ten First Team and ranked ninth in the country for receptions per game (6.7).

James arrived at A-State after completing an All-Sun Belt Conference playing career at Middle Tennessee State University in 2012, which was followed by an invitation to participate in the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys' rookie mini-camps in 2013.

James was voted one of five permanent team captains as a senior and then selected first team All-Sun Belt Conference after helping the Blue Raiders to an 8-4 regular season record.

The 2012 campaign saw James start all 12 games at center, and he was third among linemen with 844 total snaps. He was part of a line that ranked second nationally in fewest sacks allowed and paved the way for three different 100-yard rushers. He collected 78 knockdowns, including a season-high 10 against Memphis and Western Kentucky.

James earned his bachelor's degree in general studies with an emphasis in criminal justice and coaching from Middle Tennessee in 2012. He achieved his associates degree in 2010 from Georgia Military before transferring to MTSU.

James transferred to MTSU in 2011 after playing at Georgia Military as a freshman and sophomore in 2009 and 2010. His sophomore season saw him start all nine games on a team that went 6-3.

A Hoschton, Georgia, native, James earned first team all-region and all-county honors while playing at Mill Creek High School. He participated in the 2009 Gwinnett County All-Star Game, and also lettered in track.

Tom Restivo • Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach

Alma Mater: Georgetown College (Ky.) '06
Year at Massachusetts: First

University of Massachusetts football head coach Walt Bell announced the hiring of Tom Restivo to the program's coaching staff as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach on Thursday. Restivo brings more than a decade of coaching experience at the FCS and FBS levels to Amherst, including tenures at Florida, Louisville and USF.

"Tom has a great track record of success as a coordinator at the FCS level," Bell said. "He is someone who I've known personally for a long time and I am confident he will do a great job with his position group on and off the field."

More recently, Restivo spent the 2018 season on the University of South Florida staff as the safeties coach. Restivo's position group helped USF field a disruptive defense throughout the season as the Bulls posted 22 takeaways (11 interceptions, 11 fumble recoveries) and 42 pass breakups.

Restivo served as the South Carolina State defensive coordinator during the 2014, '15 and '17 seasons spanning two tenures with the program.

During 2017, Restivo's guidance of the defense helped SCSU hold opponents to just 18.8 points and 279.9 total offensive yards per game, while the team allowed the second-fewest opponent first downs (151) in the nation.

With future second round NFL draft pick Darious Leonard guiding the defense from his spot at linebacker, SCSU ranked in the top 25 nationally for a host of defensive categories, including first down defense, team passer efficiency defense (7th), rushing defense (8th), total defense (8th), red zone defense (19th), scoring defense (19th) and third down conversion percentage (22nd).

Leonard was the standout of the 2017 SCSU group and ranked fourth in the nation for tackles per game (11.3) as the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year.

During the 2015 campaign, Restivo steered the Bulldogs defensive unit to performances that led the nation in sacks, tackles for loss, pass efficiency defense and third-down defense. The Bulldogs also finished the year ranked third nationally in passing defense, fourth in scoring defense, sixth in total defense and 25th in rushing defense.

Restivo coordinated the SCSU defense that was led by Pittsburgh Steelers 2016 third round draft pick Javon Hargrave, who ranked third across FCS with 13.5 sacks and fifth with 22 tackles for loss in his senior season. The defensive tackle was a two-time MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and earned several postseason all-America honors, before he made his NFL debut and started in 13 games for the Steelers in 2017.

Before heading to S.C. State, Restivo spent four seasons (2010-13) at the University of Louisville under head coach Charlie Strong. In his first two years with the program, Restivo was a quality control coach on the Cardinals defensive staff, working with the linebackers and defensive line. In 2012, he was promoted to Louisville's secondary coach.

At Florida, Restivo served as the defensive quality control assistant in 2008 and 2009 and coached on the team that won the BCS National Championship in 2009. When Strong was hired as Louisville head coach a year later, he took Restivo along to serve in the same capacity on the defensive staff.

Restivo's postseason coaching experience includes five bowl games in addition to the 2009 national title game. Restivo was on the sidelines for the 2010 and 2013 Sugar Bowls, 2010 Beef 'O Brady's Bowl, the 2011 Belk Bowl and the 2013 Russell Athletic Bowl.

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Restivo was a defensive graduate assistant at Marshall in 2007-08 and graduated from Georgetown College in Georgetown, Ky. in 2006 with a degree in kinesiology, where he also lettered as a linebacker.

Matt Shadeed • Director of Sports Performance

Alma Mater: Southern Miss '09 (B.S.), '12 (M.S.)
Year at Massachusetts: First

University of Massachusetts football and head coach Walt Bell welcomed the addition of Matt Shadeed to the program's staff on Thursday. Shadeed serves as the athletic department's Director of Sports Performance and will work closely with the football team to foster physical, mental and emotional develop on and off the field.

"Matt Shadeed is an incredible teacher, mentor, motivator and culture-builder," Bell said. "He will not only improve our kids' bodies, but also their hearts and minds as well."

Shadeed arrived at the University of Massachusetts following a two-year stint at Baylor, where he served as the Director of Athletic Performance and oversaw strength and conditioning efforts for the nationally-ranked women's basketball program.

While at Baylor, Shadeed helped longtime Bears head coach Kim Mulkey develop Baylor into a team that went 33-2 during the 2017-18 season, with a perfect 18-0 mark in regular season conference play. The squad won the Big 12 regular season and tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament round of Sweet Sixteen.

Prior to his tenure at Baylor, Shadeed led Arkansas State from 2014-17 as the assistant athletic director for athletics performance.

Shadeed oversaw strength and conditioning efforts of the Red Wolves' football program while at Arkansas State, which made three consecutive postseason bowl appearances and won back-to-back conference championships (2015, 2016) under his direction. Operating under a philosophy built around being the toughest and most conditioned team on the field, the Red Wolves went a combined 20-4 in league play over three years under Shadeed's direction. Additionally, he coordinated nutrition, social media, massage therapy, continuing education and technology efforts for the athletics performance department.

Before heading to Arkansas State, Shadeed spent two years as the assistant strength and conditioning coach for football at the University of Mississippi and nine months as the assistant strength and conditioning coach for women's basketball and softball at the University of Southern Mississippi.

After getting his start in the profession as an intern strength and conditioning coach at Louisiana State, where he completed more than 800 hours working with six different athletics programs in five months, Shadeed served as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach at Nova Southeastern University.

While pursuing a master's degree at Nova Southeastern, Shadeed directed strength and conditioning programs for men's basketball, men's soccer, women's tennis, softball, men's and women's swimming and diving and men's and women's track and field. He also assisted the head strength coach in all phases of design and development of the institution's new strength and conditioning complex.

Shadeed earned a bachelor of science degree with an emphasis in exercise science from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2009 and a master of science degree with an emphasis in athletic administration in 2012.

Shadeed is certified as a strength and conditioning coach by CSCCa, a corrective exercise specialist by NASM, a sports performance Level 1 coach by USAW and a PN-1 by Precision Nutrition. A 2016 Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year nominee (NSCA) and 2011 John Stucky Award (CSCCa) recipient, Shadeed is also certified in first aid by the American Red Cross and in adult CPR/AED by the American Heart Association.

His wife, Emily and his son, Bear join Shadeed in Amherst.

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