The Founder
East Coast Prep was founded in 2013 by its first head coach and Director of Operations Dick Bell. Dick’s vision for East Coast Prep was to create affordable first-class postgraduate (PG) program that created opportunities for the serious high school football player who aspired to play college football.
While searching for a site for East Coast Prep, Coach Bell pursed many options. After an extensive search he chose Great Barrington, Massachusetts for its central location, beautiful surroundings, and incredible facilities. East Coast Prep would soon prove to be the perfect destination for these aspiring young men to pursue their collegiate dreams.
Our founder Dick Bell’s accomplishments in football are numerous. As a football player, as a football coach/recruiter and as a football executive.
The Executive
Dick’s abilities on the field as either a player or coach have translated to successes in management as well. During a 14 year career that ended in 2000, Dick represented over 100 NFL players in their on and off field endeavors, including two first round draft picks and 6 time Pro Bowl linebacker Greg Lloyd of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dick, as General Manager of the Bay State Titans of the MLFS, was named The Executive of the Year in 1991 after the Titans led the league in attendance, players sent to the NFL, CFL or World League (21), as well as playing for the Conference championship. The Titans were coached by former New England Patriot player and current Atlanta Falcons Assistant, Ray “Sugar Bear” Hamilton.
Dick is also the Director of the Blue-Chip Football Academies, events which are held each summer in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia for high school players. Now in its seventh year, with over 150 college coaches participating, it has been a resounding success for the hundreds of players that have gone on to play at the college level because of the contacts made there.
The Coach
Dick has coached at all levels of football with success.
College – As linebacker coach for Division 1AA Tennessee-Chattanooga of the powerful Southern Conference, players under Dick’s tutelage earned either first or second team All-Conference in each of his years there. The ability to recruit is what truly separated Dick from the crowd as he personally signed a staggering 70% of the recruiting classes during his tenure. With help from the players he signed, Chattanooga went from a losing to a winning program within two years.
High School – As the head coach of Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, Dick guided a team that had a 1-32 record the previous three seasons to a 9-2 record in his first year. That turnaround was recognized in a state with over 300 schools as one of the greatest in history. Six of the players on that team went on to Division 1 or 1AA Programs and none had been recruited at all prior to Dick’s arrival.
The Player
A native of Massachusetts, Dick was the MVP of Dean Junior College in 1974 and went on to become a three time All Conference Player and All-American at the University of Rhode Island as a defensive end. Dick was also chosen to represent Team USA in the 1979 Can-Am Bowl Game which pitted the United States versus Canada in a nationally televised game. Dick started and helped the American squad to a resounding victory. After his college career ended, Dick was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and later signed with the San Diego Chargers. Dick was inducted into the Dean Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991.
Through his countless hours of hard work, compassion, and dedication to both the game of football and East Coast Prep, Coach Bell has left a tremendous legacy.
Coach you helped many players, coaches and families realize their dreams by creating East Coast Prep.
Thank You!