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Multiple reports are emerging from San Diego that former Chargers coach Don Coryell has died at the age of 85.
Coryell coached the Chargers from 1978 through half of the 1986 season, compiling a record if 72-60. He resigned after eight games in his final year on the job.
A finalist for induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this year, the coach took full advantage of rules changes aimed at opening up the passing game to create Air Coryell, an attack that turned quarterback Dan Fouts, receiver Charlie Joiner, and tight end Kellen Winslow into Hall of Famers -- and the Chargers into perennial contenders.
Coryell had been ill for months. Eventually, he passed due to complications from pneumonia.
He also served as head coach of the Cardinals from 1973 through 1977. Before that, Coryell coached at San Diego State for more than a decade.
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NFL: Legendary Coach Don 'Air' Coryell Dies at 85 Posted by Mike Florio on July 1, 2010 8:53 PM ETIt's a shame he's not in the HOF. He was an innovator who helped change the game of football. His coaching tree is amazing, and so many teams use a variation of his offense.
(from Wiki):
Coryell's direct development of future coaches included Super Bowl head coaches John Madden and Joe Gibbs, Super Bowl offensive coordinators Ernie Zampese and Al Saunders, as well as Jim Hanifan and Rod Dowhower. Adding to the Coryell coaching tree, Super Bowl offensive coordinator Norv Turner tutored under Zampese, and another Super Bowl offensive coordinator Mike Martz studied under both Zampese and later Turner. Dan Henning coached under Gibbs. Fouts says, "He influenced offensive and defensive football because if you are going to have three or four receivers out there, you better have an answer for it on the other side of the ball. If it wasn't for Don, I wouldn't be in the Hall of Fame." In John Madden's Hall of Fame induction speech, Madden mentioned his time at San Diego State "with a great coach that someday will be in here, Don Coryell. He had a real influence on my coaching. Joe Gibbs was on that staff, too." Gibbs also lobbied for Coryell's induction into the Hall of Fame, stating "(Coryell) was extremely creative and fostered things that are still in today's game because he was so creative. I think he's affected a lot of coaches, and I'd like to see him get in. " "Don is the father of the modern passing game. People talk about the 'West Coast' offense, but Don started the 'West Coast' decades ago and kept updating it. You look around the NFL now, and so many teams are running a version of the Coryell offense. Coaches have added their own touches, but it's still Coryell's offense. He has disciples all over the league. He changed the game," adds Martz. Winslow points out that Coryell had an indirect hand in the 49ers', Washington Redskins' and St. Louis Rams' Super Bowl teams. "They call it the West Coast offense because San Francisco won Super Bowls with it, but it was a variation of what we did in San Diego. Joe Gibbs' itty-bitty receivers on the outside and two tight ends in the middle, (that's) a variation of Coryell's offense in San Diego. It's just a personnel change, but it's the same thing. When the Rams won their Super Bowl, it was the same offense, same terminology. For Don Coryell to not be in the Hall of Fame is a lack of knowledge of the voters. That's the nicest way that I can put that. A lack of understanding of the legacy of the game.
[Edited 7/2/10 7:10am] |
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The early to mid 80s, his Chargers and my Raiders used to have epic scoring battles. Fuck defense You can call me "ROC" for short  | |
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.Man..........those were the days.
RIP | |
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And you know what? If I recall, dude ain't even in the Hall. You can call me "ROC" for short | |
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12 games over .500 might be the reason why. | |
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Yeah, but he revolutionized the game. You can call me "ROC" for short | |
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I think he should be there but the voting my have other reasons...... | |
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Yeah he only had a couple of good seasons with the Cardinals in the 70's but his offense and Terry Metcalf were cool to watch. Don't laugh at my funk
This funk is a serious joint | |
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Well, he was one cold snap away from at least playing for a Super Bowl. His San Diego teams were really fun to watch. Many football fans will remember him fondly, Canton or no Canton, probably even more so than many in there now.
Washington fans should remember him fondly for his tutelage of Joe Gibbs, who was able to incorporate a lot of the Air Coryell model into his passing attack. Good night, sweet Prince | 7 June 1958 - 21 April 2016
Props will be withheld until the showing and proving has commenced. -- Aaron McGruder | |
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Those were brutal conditions in Cincinnati that day of the AFC Championship. Many felt the game should not have been played. We're talking dangerously cold. |
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Yeah, that may have been the most memorable conference championship monday in my lifetime. For good reasons (the Boys-Niners game) AND bad (playing a game in those conditions). I agree, the game shouldn't have been played. We were deprived of an all-time classic Super Bowl, Bolts v. Niners.
One cold day may have changed Coryell's legacy forever. Who knows, San Diego might have established a new dynasty instead. Good night, sweet Prince | 7 June 1958 - 21 April 2016
Props will be withheld until the showing and proving has commenced. -- Aaron McGruder | |
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