Don Coryell passes away

[SPTO]

Don Coryell may not have the wins, the winning pct or the SBs but the man changed the way the game is played forever. I've got a HUGE amount of respect for the man and I have a ton of his games in my collection. It's a damn crying shame that the thickheaded voters haven't voted him in yet.

The man took what Sid Gillman advocated and took it to a whole new level. If you look at the NFL of the late '70s it was a pretty bland league (especially the NFC) and Coryell shook the league up with the new rules by creating one of the most ingenius offenses of all time. Coryell along with TE Kellen Winslow completely changed that position from one of being primarily a blocker and being an outlet receiver into being an integral part of the offensive gameplan. Dan Fouts, Charlie Joiner, Kellen Winslow and Chuck Muncie (even though Coryell wasn't all that patient with the run game) owe a huge ton of debt to him.

May Don Coryell rest in eternal peace.

[doncoryell]

To this day, his offense, in one way, shape or form, is still in use today. Coach Mike Martz utilizes the "Air Coryell" offense, as well as coaches that use the Bill Walsh version of the "west coast" offense.

First coach to have 100 wins in both NFL & NCAA.

First coach to lead Cardinals to multiple playoffs. Their current coach became the second one to do this last season.

Learned the TRUE west coast offense from Sid Gillman (offense was known as west coast due to starting in San Diego, which is on the west coast), and moved it up a notch by continuing to update and upgrade it. The offense was learned through coach Coryell & offensive coordinator Ernie Zampeze by coach Joe Gibbs, who used the passing scheme while coaching the Redskins in the '80s. Even coaches Marty Schottenheimer and Dick Vermeil used a variation of it. Also developed other future coaches including John Madden & Norv Turner. Coaches Turner and Martz studdied under Zampeze.

Bill Walsh's "West Coast" offense is also a variation of the "Air Coryell" offense but uses more of a horizontal, short passing attack rather than Coryell's vertical deep passing attack.

I guess that this means that Don Coryell had an indirect hand in the Super Bowl teams from the 49ers (Walsh), Redskins (Gibbs) and Rams (Martz).

[Robens]

R.I.P

[JBH3]

Heard of him, knew of his offense, but never got to really see it in action. Nevertheless, RIP and thanks for your contributions to the NFL, in all capacities.

[Jeffx]

Quote: Originally Posted by doncoryell

To this day, his offense, in one way, shape or form, is still in use today. Coach Mike Martz utilizes the "Air Coryell" offense, as well as coaches that use the Bill Walsh version of the "west coast" offense. First coach to have 100 wins in both NFL & NCAA. First coach to lead Cardinals to multiple playoffs. Their current coach became the second one to do this last season. Learned the TRUE west coast offense from Sid Gillman (offense was known as west coast due to starting in San Diego, which is on the west coast), and moved it up a notch by continuing to update and upgrade it. The offense was learned through coach Coryell & offensive coordinator Ernie Zampeze by coach Joe Gibbs, who used the passing scheme while coaching the Redskins in the '80s. Even coaches Marty Schottenheimer and Dick Vermeil used a variation of it. Also developed other future coaches including John Madden & Norv Turner. Coaches Turner and Martz studdied under Zampeze. Bill Walsh's "West Coast" offense is also a variation of the "Air Coryell" offense but uses more of a horizontal, short passing attack rather than Coryell's vertical deep passing attack. I guess that this means that Don Coryell had an indirect hand in the Super Bowl teams from the 49ers (Walsh), Redskins (Gibbs) and Rams (Martz).

co-sign on this.

It's a disgrace he's not in the HOF.

[KingV2k3]

Quote: Originally Posted by snepp

It's an effin' crying shame that this day came without him being in the Hall of Fame.

Co-sign

RIP Don / Air Coryell

[SPTO]

Quote: Originally Posted by doncoryell

To this day, his offense, in one way, shape or form, is still in use today. Coach Mike Martz utilizes the "Air Coryell" offense, as well as coaches that use the Bill Walsh version of the "west coast" offense. First coach to have 100 wins in both NFL & NCAA. First coach to lead Cardinals to multiple playoffs. Their current coach became the second one to do this last season. Learned the TRUE west coast offense from Sid Gillman (offense was known as west coast due to starting in San Diego, which is on the west coast), and moved it up a notch by continuing to update and upgrade it. The offense was learned through coach Coryell & offensive coordinator Ernie Zampeze by coach Joe Gibbs, who used the passing scheme while coaching the Redskins in the '80s. Even coaches Marty Schottenheimer and Dick Vermeil used a variation of it. Also developed other future coaches including John Madden & Norv Turner. Coaches Turner and Martz studdied under Zampeze. Bill Walsh's "West Coast" offense is also a variation of the "Air Coryell" offense but uses more of a horizontal, short passing attack rather than Coryell's vertical deep passing attack. I guess that this means that Don Coryell had an indirect hand in the Super Bowl teams from the 49ers (Walsh), Redskins (Gibbs) and Rams (Martz).

Bravo! Great post and here's something that strengthen Coryell even more. Ray Perkins was an assistant with him in '78 and he went on to coach the Giants. His successor? Bill Parcells who begat Belichick.

I know it's rather tenous but there you go

Oh and as you stated Gibbs and Martz heavily borrowed from Coryell. Actually, Gibbs was Coryell's offensive coordinator for a time and if you watched the '91 Redskins you'd swear it was the original Coryell offense out there. Martz borrowed heavily on Coryell's offense but it was Dick Vermeil who ran it properly as Martz didn't use the run game enough. I said earlier that Coryell wasn't patient with the run game but he utilized it more then some people would think. Chuck Muncie was a forerunner of Marshall Faulk in style to the point that it was EASY to convert the Coryell offense to the Rams. Of course the Rams didn't quite have a TE of great calibre so they were more WR and RB oriented then the Chargers.

[doncoryell]

Quote: Originally Posted by SPTO

Bravo! Great post and here's something that strengthen Coryell even more. Ray Perkins was an assistant with him in '78 and he went on to coach the Giants. His successor? Bill Parcells who begat Belichick. I know it's rather tenous but there you go Oh and as you stated Gibbs and Martz heavily borrowed from Coryell. Actually, Gibbs was Coryell's offensive coordinator for a time and if you watched the '91 Redskins you'd swear it was the original Coryell offense out there. Martz borrowed heavily on Coryell's offense but it was Dick Vermeil who ran it properly as Martz didn't use the run game enough. I said earlier that Coryell wasn't patient with the run game but he utilized it more then some people would think. Chuck Muncie was a forerunner of Marshall Faulk in style to the point that it was EASY to convert the Coryell offense to the Rams. Of course the Rams didn't quite have a TE of great calibre so they were more WR and RB oriented then the Chargers.

You are correct. Joe Gibbs and John Madden were on the same coaching staff under Don Coryell while he was coaching at San Diego State.


Don Coryell also liked to develop multipurpose running backs, like James Brooks for example. Marshall Faulk played college football at San Diego State and they used a variation of the offense there after Don Coryell left the school to be the head coach of the St.Louis Cardinals.

There are so many players in the Hall of Fame that never played in the Super Bowl. Why can't they elect coaches that never did as well?


"I wouldn't be in the Hall of Fame if it wasn't for Don Coryell." -- Dan Fouts