Reports: Legendary coach Don Coryell dead at 85

Topdawg13 · Jul 1, 2010

RIP Mr. Coryell

Don Coryell, the architect of the Chargers' famed aerial attacks of the 1970s and '80s, died Thursday afternoon, several San Diego media outlets reported. He was 85.

Coryell played defensive back for the University of Washington from 1949 to 1951. He coached at Whittier College (1957-59) and San Diego State (1961-1972) and for the St. Louis Cardinals (1973-77), but he was best known for the innovative "Air Coryell" offense that he employed with the San Diego Chargers from 1978 to 1986.

Coryell, who went 111-83-1 in the NFL, coached many Pro Football Hall of Fame players, including tight end Kellen Winslow, wide receiver Charlie Joiner and quarterback Dan Fouts. Coryell also gave coaching starts to Hall of Fame coaches Joe Gibbs and John Madden. But Coryell himself isn't in the Hall of Fame, coming up just short in 2010. His exclusion has been a source of consternation for many of his former players.
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gunn34 · Jul 1, 2010

I loved watching his airel attack in San Diego. RIP.

Celtkin · Jul 1, 2010

RIP Air Coryell. You revolutionized the game.

steveincolorado · Jul 2, 2010

Celtkin said:

RIP Air Coryell. You revolutionized the game.
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I used to hate the guy for his passing attack, but he did change the game and we now watch his style in today's NFL.

RIP, Mr. Coryell

Topdawg13 · Jul 6, 2010

Coryell's attacking offense mirrored his attitude on game, life

-Link-

Fouts called Coryell "unique in so many ways." However, it wasn't merely in the coach's approach to the game but also in his approach to his players.

Unlike many coaches, especially in the earlier days, Coryell wasn't a strict disciplinarian. Far from it. He would allow his players to have plenty of leeway, as long as they performed when it counted.

For instance, Coryell was never a stickler for players keeping their helmets on with their chin straps snapped during practice, especially in the scorching heat of training-camp two-a-days.

"Coryell would say, 'Hey, listen, if you're not in the play, take your helmet off, get yourself some water, and I want you to take a knee back there and I want you to watch the plays and learn what the other people are doing,'" Dobler recalled. "He wanted us to concentrate rather than worrying about whether our chin strap was too tight or our helmet was too hot.

"Don Coryell actually taught me that football is supposed to be fun. Yeah, it's a business, but it's game. It's a professional game, but it's a game. We used to laugh out on the field, and Coryell would say, 'You guys are having a blast.' He loved us."

Dobler, known as one of the dirtiest players in NFL history for often employing tactics that were against the rules, remembered Coryell's relatively docile reaction when the guard drew a 15-yard penalty. On the sideline, Coryell asked offensive line coach Jim Hanifan what Dobler did. Hanifan replied, "He kicked the guy in the ***." Coryell said, "Well, tell him not to do that anymore."
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Reports: Legendary coach Don Coryell dead at 85

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gunn34 I miss Don & Dan

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steveincolorado Spook, Storme & Pebbles

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Reports: Legendary coach Don Coryell dead at 85

Topdawg13 New Member

gunn34 I miss Don & Dan

Celtkin <B>Webmaster</b> Luxury Box

steveincolorado Spook, Storme & Pebbles

Topdawg13 New Member

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