Ernie McCook enters his fifth season for the Rams after being named the head coach at Shepherd on January 24, 2018 after serving as an assistant at Shepherd for 18 years. In 2021, Shepherd posted a 13-2 overall mark as Super Region One Champions before falling to eventual national champion Ferris State in the semifinal round. McCook led Shepherd to a 10-3 mark and an NCAA II playoff appearance in its first season of competition in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in 2019. Prior to becoming head coach 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. McCook served as assistant head coach/offensive coordinator at Shepherd from 2010-17. 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.