University of Houston Athletics
Shawn Bell Promoted to Assistant Head Coach
12/24/2025 3:00:00 PM | Football
Experienced quarterbacks coach, recruiter promoted following two seasons at Houston
HOUSTON – University of Houston Football Head Coach Willie Fritz announced the promotion of Shawn Bell to Assistant Head Coach and Quarterbacks Coach on Wednesday following two seasons as Quarterbacks Coach.
Houston's passing game coordinator for the last two seasons, Bell has tutored quarterbacks Conner Weigman and Zeon Chriss-Gremillion to strong seasons as Houston's starting quarterbacks. In his first season at Houston, Weigman has thrown for 2,475 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for 11 additional scores – the third most rushing touchdowns in a single-season by a Cougar quarterback in program history. Chriss-Gremillion steadied the ship in Year 1 of the Fritz Era, as one of eight Power Four underclassmen QBs with 750+ passing yards and 350+ rushing yards in 2024, leading Houston to its first road Big 12 Conference win at TCU (Oct. 4, 2024)
"Shawn has an extensive coaching background in Texas," Fritz said. "Shawn was a great high school head coach at Magnolia West and he has done a great job with our quarterbacks and recruiting and will continue to do so here as he aspires to be a college head coach."
In 2025, Bell has helped Weigman show why he was a 5-star dual-threat quarterback coming out of high school in 2022, becoming the only FBS quarterback this season with 30+ total touchdowns with at least 10 rushing scores (21 passing, 11 rushing). Weigman led the Cougars to a 24-17 win at #24 Arizona State in October for Houston's first ranked road win since 2017, passing for 201 yards, rushing for 111 and scoring three total touchdowns.
In 2024, Bell guided Chriss-Gremillion to a school record and became the 23rd quarterback since 1996 to complete all 11 passes in a game, when he went 11 of 11 passing for 103 yards with 75 rushing yards and two total TDs in Houston's upset win over vs. #17/15 Kansas State (Nov. 2, 2024).
Bell, a former Baylor signal caller started as an analyst with the Bears in 2017, was elevated to offensive line coach in March 2018. He moved to tight ends under new head coach Dave Aranda for the 2020 season and was named quarterbacks coach in January 2021. The Dave Campbell's Texas Football 40 Under 40 honoree (June 2021) spent the 2021-23 seasons as Quarterbacks Coach.
From 2010 to 2015, Bell was head coach at Magnolia West High School in Magnolia, Texas. He led the Mustangs to the postseason every year and compiled a six-year record of 44-27.
His first head coaching stint was in 2009 at Clifton (Texas) High School. In 2008, Bell worked under his father, central Texas coaching icon and long-time China Spring head coach Mark Bell, on the CSHS staff. He began his coaching career in 2007 working with the wide receivers at Stony Point High School in Round Rock.
Bell rewrote the passing records during his time as Baylor's quarterback from 2003-06, owning 28 school records at the conclusion of his career. His 5,666 career yards and 38 career TDs currently stand as the fifth most all-time.
UP NEXT
Houston's best season in five years continues as the #21 Cougars take on the LSU Tigers on Dec. 27 at 8:15 p.m. in the Kinder's Texas Bowl in NRG Stadium. The game will air on ESPN. Fans are encouraged to buy tickets at kinderstexasbowl.com/tickets.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by providing NIL opportunities and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
Houston's passing game coordinator for the last two seasons, Bell has tutored quarterbacks Conner Weigman and Zeon Chriss-Gremillion to strong seasons as Houston's starting quarterbacks. In his first season at Houston, Weigman has thrown for 2,475 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for 11 additional scores – the third most rushing touchdowns in a single-season by a Cougar quarterback in program history. Chriss-Gremillion steadied the ship in Year 1 of the Fritz Era, as one of eight Power Four underclassmen QBs with 750+ passing yards and 350+ rushing yards in 2024, leading Houston to its first road Big 12 Conference win at TCU (Oct. 4, 2024)
"Shawn has an extensive coaching background in Texas," Fritz said. "Shawn was a great high school head coach at Magnolia West and he has done a great job with our quarterbacks and recruiting and will continue to do so here as he aspires to be a college head coach."
In 2025, Bell has helped Weigman show why he was a 5-star dual-threat quarterback coming out of high school in 2022, becoming the only FBS quarterback this season with 30+ total touchdowns with at least 10 rushing scores (21 passing, 11 rushing). Weigman led the Cougars to a 24-17 win at #24 Arizona State in October for Houston's first ranked road win since 2017, passing for 201 yards, rushing for 111 and scoring three total touchdowns.
In 2024, Bell guided Chriss-Gremillion to a school record and became the 23rd quarterback since 1996 to complete all 11 passes in a game, when he went 11 of 11 passing for 103 yards with 75 rushing yards and two total TDs in Houston's upset win over vs. #17/15 Kansas State (Nov. 2, 2024).
Bell, a former Baylor signal caller started as an analyst with the Bears in 2017, was elevated to offensive line coach in March 2018. He moved to tight ends under new head coach Dave Aranda for the 2020 season and was named quarterbacks coach in January 2021. The Dave Campbell's Texas Football 40 Under 40 honoree (June 2021) spent the 2021-23 seasons as Quarterbacks Coach.
From 2010 to 2015, Bell was head coach at Magnolia West High School in Magnolia, Texas. He led the Mustangs to the postseason every year and compiled a six-year record of 44-27.
His first head coaching stint was in 2009 at Clifton (Texas) High School. In 2008, Bell worked under his father, central Texas coaching icon and long-time China Spring head coach Mark Bell, on the CSHS staff. He began his coaching career in 2007 working with the wide receivers at Stony Point High School in Round Rock.
Bell rewrote the passing records during his time as Baylor's quarterback from 2003-06, owning 28 school records at the conclusion of his career. His 5,666 career yards and 38 career TDs currently stand as the fifth most all-time.
UP NEXT
Houston's best season in five years continues as the #21 Cougars take on the LSU Tigers on Dec. 27 at 8:15 p.m. in the Kinder's Texas Bowl in NRG Stadium. The game will air on ESPN. Fans are encouraged to buy tickets at kinderstexasbowl.com/tickets.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by providing NIL opportunities and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
–– UHCougars.com ––
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