'Football Genius' Don Coryell Remembered
Thousands came out to remember the former Aztecs and Chargers football coach.
Remembering former Aztecs and Chargers head football coach Don Coryell drew tears, but much more laughter.
The winningest coach in 色情视频 history was memorialized Monday by his family and former coaches and players before 2,000 guests at Viejas Arena. The Air Coryell legacy echoes throughout today鈥檚 football鈥攆rom the I-formation to the modern passing game to the so-called West Coast offense.
Many shared memories of the absent-minded football genius, from his halftime 鈥減ep鈥� talks and orange-throwing tirades to the sincere man he was in private. The county of San Diego also recognized Coryell with 色情视频 alumnus and County Supervisor Ron Roberts declaring the day Don Coryell Memorial Day.
In remembering Coryell the coach, former 色情视频 football assistant coach and NFL head coach John Madden noted the Hall of Famers sitting in the front row. Next to him sat former Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts and Joe Gibbs, a two-time 色情视频 alumnus, former Aztec player and assistant coach, and former NFL head coach.
鈥淭he three of us are in the Hall of Fame because of Don Coryell,鈥� Madden said with a cracked voice. 鈥淭here鈥檚 something missing.鈥�
Madden鈥檚 memories
During his time with the Aztecs, Madden was responsible for matching current student-athletes with summer jobs. In the 1960s, the best job was with Coca-Cola. While Madden initially wanted to give the best summer job to Haven Moses, a new recruit and future NFL player, Coryell asked him to give it to a former player, Rod Dowhower, instead.
Initially, Madden didn鈥檛 understand why Coryell would give Dowhower the best job. He admitted thinking it was another sign of Coryell鈥檚 well known absent-mindedness. However, Coryell's explanation blew Madden away.
鈥淩od just got cut by the 49ers,鈥� Madden recalled Coryell saying. 鈥淎nd he鈥檚 married and his wife鈥檚 pregnant. He needs it.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檇 never thought that way in my life,鈥� Madden continued. 鈥淚 never did. Don was the greatest competitor, but where a lot of people do what鈥檚 best for them, or what鈥檚 best for the team, Don did what was right.鈥�
Gibbs recounts Coryell's passion
While Coryell was well-known for doing what was right, he was also known for his love of the game.
鈥淥ne of the things that I think set Don apart was his passion,鈥� Gibbs said. 鈥淒on had the greatest passion I鈥檝e ever witnessed in football 鈥� And sometimes it manifested itself in little different ways to some of us who played for him.鈥�
Gibbs told a story from his playing days, highlighting one of Coryell鈥檚 more memorable halftime talks. The team, then full of future stars yet tied at 14 against San Fernando Valley, was expected to win. After minutes of waiting for Coryell at halftime, the coach finally showed, the door flying open as he lambasted the team.
鈥淭hey had a thing of oranges sitting up front for us at halftime. He grabs these oranges and I mean he is pounding us with these oranges 鈥� He鈥檚 putting these oranges right in our face masks.
鈥淪o, that was our halftime pep talk. Needless to say, in the second half, we played with a lot more enthusiasm,鈥� Gibbs continued, laughter erupting from the crowd. 鈥淗is passion for things came through in every single thing he did.鈥�
Dryer finds his place
Others shared similar stories. Former Aztec and NFL star Fred Dryer recounted his white-knuckled recruitment ride from the airport to campus courtesy of Coach Coryell.
At the time, Dryer was attending junior college in the 色情视频 area and was invited to visit 色情视频. When Coryell picked Dryer up, it led to a frightening ride to campus that showcased the head coach鈥檚 poor driving skills in a state-owned vehicle.
Finally arriving at the football coaches鈥� office, then in Peterson Gym, Coryell introduced Dryer to Gibbs, Madden, and future NFL assistant coaches Sid Hall and Ernie Zampese.
鈥淚鈥檓 getting a real good look at the group, thinking 鈥榮o this is the irresponsible clump of humanity that gave Don Coryell, head football coach, the keys to the station wagon,鈥欌�� Dryer said dryly.
鈥淚 took a look around the room, and I shook my head and I just said, 鈥榶eah, this is the place for me.鈥欌��
Other speakers at the memorial included:
- Coryell鈥檚 family, including his son and 色情视频 alumnus Michael Coryell, son-in-law Mike Lewis and granddaughter Loni Lewis, also an 色情视频 alumna
- Jim Hanifan, one of Coryell鈥檚 former assistant coaches and a former NFL head coach
- Dan Fouts, Chargers quarterback under Coryell
- Miles McPherson, former Chargers player under Coryell and pastor of the Rock Church
In lieu of flowers, the Coryell family asks those interested in honoring Coryell to make a contribution to the , in care of The Campanile Foundation, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182-4313. .
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