Former Chargers Coach Don Coryell Dies, Was Key in Evolution of Passing

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-02/former-chargers-coach-don-coryell-dies-was-key-in-evolution-of-passing.html

Former Chargers Coach Don Coryell Dies, Was Key in Evolution of Passing
Rob Gloster
Jul 2, 2010

Don Coryell, a longtime college and professional football coach whose offensive innovations helped in the evolution of the modern passing game, has died after a long illness. He was 85.

Coryell died yesterday at a California hospital, the National Football League’s San Diego Chargers said in a news release.

“He revolutionized the game of football, not only in San Diego but throughout the entire NFL,” Chargers President Dean Spanos said.

Coryell coached at San Diego State University in 1961-1972, compiling a record of 104-19-2. He led the NFL’s St. Louis Cardinals to two division titles and a 42-29-1 record from 1973-1977 and took the Chargers to two American Football Conference championship games and a 72-60 record while coaching there from 1978-1986. His overall NFL record, including playoffs, was 114- 89-1.

With Dan Fouts at quarterback, the “Air Coryell” Chargers of the early 1980s redefined the passing game by expanding the receiving roles of the tight end and running backs. Fouts set NFL passing records with 4,715 yards in 1980 and 4,802 yards in 1981.

To contact the reporter on this story: Rob Gloster in San Francisco at rgloster@bloomberg.net.