RIP Coach

[MSpecht]

Pro and college football lost one of the game's most innovative offensive minds yesterday with the passing of legendary coach Don Coryell. The former head coach of the San Diego State Aztecs, St. Louis Cardinals, and the San Diego Chargers, Don was the only head coach to garner over 100 wins on both the collegiate and professional level. Best known for the "Air Coryell" offense of the Fouts-Winslow-Joyner Chargers, Coryell tutored such NFL standout coaches as Joe Gibbs, Ernie Zampese, and John Madden, and left his fingerprints on every successful NFL offense of the past 30 years. Don has battled a succession of health problems the past several years. The photo below was signed August 3, 2009 at a monthly luncheon of former Aztec players. In an email from a former player, it was noted that:

"Don Coryell's final act in the game of life was a tribute to what he always did on the playing field. He went out fighting to the very end, just like he taught all of us to do."

Rest In Peace, Coach.

[kudu]

Oh No! One of the greatest and a huge icon in San Diego sports history. He will be missed.

[sox83cubs84]

There would be no Mike Martz if it wasn't for Air Coryell.

Dave Miedema

[MSpecht]

A public memorial service for Don Coryell is scheduled for Monday, July 12 at 2 pm Pacific Time. It can be viewed live on-line at

www.goaztecs.com

The scheduled speakers are:

Dan Fouts (former Chargers QB)
John Madden (Former Aztecs and Raiders coach and NFL TV)
Joe Gibbs (former Aztecs and Redskins Coach)
Fred Dryer (former Aztec, NY Giants, and LA Rams and TV's Hunter)
Jim Hanifan (former ST Louis Cardinals and S D Chargers coach)

The Coryell family has requested that this single service be celebratory of Don's life. In that vein, I guarantee you that Dryer and Madden will be at the top of their games. Tune in on-line if you get the chance.

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com