Post by Erik Rupp on Jul 1, 2010 21:44:22 GMT -5
One of the greatest football coaches of all time has passed away at the age of 85.
Don Coryell revolutionized offensive football, and was a winner wherever he coached. He won 80% of his games at San Diego State. He took a bad St. Louis Cardinals team and took them to the playoffs for the first time in 25 years. He turned a horrible San Diego Chargers team into Super Bowl contenders (and arguably the best team ever that didn't win a Super Bowl).
He should have been in the Pro Football Hall of Fame years ago, but has been snubbed because he never won the big game (neither did Bud Grant, but he's in). It's a real shame - and infuriating - that he wasn't inducted while he was still alive to enjoy it.
Don Coryell, more than anything else, though, was a great guy whose players loved him (and still love him) and would do anything for the man. He was a great family man, and his impact has been felt off the field just as much as on it.
He will be greatly missed.
