Comments on: Reports: Don Coryell dies at 85

By: Sourdough

Sourdough — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:04:18 +0000

Thanks for all you did for the NFL and the Chargers Mr. Coryell.
Rest in peace.

By: 6250claimer

6250claimer — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:27:31 +0000

One of the most intense coaches on the sideline ever. Look at highlight films of his team, the expression on his face during games told you that Coryell was passionate for the game, and then some. It’s too bad those Air Coryell teams with Dan Fouts at the helm never had a defense that could stop anybodyl, or he’d have won a couple of rings.
RIP Don, you were a true innovator and asset to the game. Voters didn’t vote you into the HOF on the first go-round, hopefully they wise up next time.

By: AlanSaysYo

AlanSaysYo — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:19:30 +0000

Six letters:
RIP
HOF

By: tatum32

tatum32 — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:02:24 +0000

Nuff respect to Don Coryell and the most explosive offense ever conceived…..many battles witnessed vs. the Raiders.
R.I.P.
Raider Nation

By: joetoronto

joetoronto — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 07:05:27 +0000

The fact this man hasn’t made the Hall of Fame is a damn shame.
Now that he’s no longer alive, they’ll vote him in, shame on those who didn’t vote him in earlier.
RIP, Coach.

By: RealisticSteelerfan

RealisticSteelerfan — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 05:28:35 +0000

As a Steeler fan he ALWAYS put fear in me. Even during our heyday (at the end) Fouts, Jefferson, Winslow,Chandler, Joiner and Coryell gave me nightmares.

By: Boski93

Boski93 — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:34:01 +0000

A man who cast a huge shadow on the NFL and college landscape. A offensive mind who is on par with Bill Walsh. How he is not in the Hall of Fame is mind boggling. The man created a football power at San Diego State. Then he proceeded to go the NFL and win in two difficult situations. He resuscitated the Cardinals and got them to the playoffs in ’74 & ’75 (missed in ’76 even with a 10-4 record) after a 25 year drought. Then he turned the dormant Chargers into a force. Yes, the man did not win a Super Bowl, but neither did George Allen. The only team that was truly disappointing was the ’79 team sing to an Oiler team that had not Earl Campbell or Dan Pastorini. ’80 they ran into a team that was destined to win (Oakland) and in ’81 after winning that epic tilt in Miami they had to roll into Cinny and play in abysmal conditions. Also look at all the coaches who served under Coryell: Madden, Gibbs, Ernie Zampese and Al Saunders, as well as Jim Hanifan and Rod Dowhower. Zampese, Dan Henning to name a few.

By: buzzbissinger

buzzbissinger — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:18:08 +0000

“Air Coryell”
even Jordan wouldn’t have been the same without you….
Another Raider fan that wishes to pay his respects.

By: chargerDan

chargerDan — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:04:02 +0000

HandsofSweed…I was at those games!! The 79 game should have been the preview of the Championship game but we lost to Houston 17-14. That day in Nov 79 was a special day – the colors in the stadium, the air, the mighty STeelers and then new darlings – charger power towels waving – it was college feel before all the espn 24 7 hype machine. There were 7 turnovers in the first quarter alone!! 4 by Sd and 3 by Pitt or vice versa. AND it was all because of Coryell. To have a great game you have to have great competition. The 3rd quarter was nerve wracking and then Wilbur young chased Bradshaw forcing a deep throw down the middle – Glen Edwards tipped it, woody Lowe caught itand ran 77 yards for the TD. BUt really Webster tackled woody and woody fumbled at the goal but it was still called a TD.
Even though you have the rings – thank you for your recognition. My eyes a crying, wishing we had a ring too – and wishing coach had been inducted into the Hall this year – what a crime he was not. Thanks again – and to Raider fan as well – we have lost a great one today!!
Thank you DOn for all the joy – and tears – and the love you brought to SD and to the CHargers, and the game of football all around.

By: annetally

annetally — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:03:38 +0000

mrsteve,
You’re stupid remark is not representative of all Raiders fans, thankfully. If you think Don Coryell didn’t coach heart, you obviously don’t know football. I could take plenty of shots but you’re too easy a target. A great man who changed the way football was played has passed. Be a man and show some respect.

By: HandsofSweed

HandsofSweed — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:01:54 +0000

Yeah. what a hell of an innovator. I recall watching the Steelers beat him and San Diego, 52-24 in 1984 and lose 54-44 the next year. He made Chuck Noll play his game. That is one of the most ultimate compliments a coach can get, from the standpoint of gameplanning. Hell, he whipped my Steelers 35-7 during their 4th World Championship season of 1979.
He will go into the HOF soon, I hope. He certainly changed the face of football forever.

By: nicewolf64

nicewolf64 — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:54:41 +0000

RIP

By: annetally

annetally — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:40:18 +0000

btw, thanks raiderrob, not a lot of love between our cities, appreciate the kind words.

By: annetally

annetally — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:35:56 +0000

Grew up in SD watching Air Coryell. Thanks for the memories, Coach. They got me through the Ryan Leaf days. You’ll be sorely missed in this great city.

By: PackFaninPackLand

PackFaninPackLand — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:20:38 +0000

He made watching football a little more fun !

By: Beauregard

Beauregard — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:13:02 +0000

A great coach and a great man.
Back in the days when I loved and respected the Chargers. His innovation and games plans made good players into great players.
He will be missed, and he should of been inducted into the HOF when he was still alive.

By: Deb

Deb — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:01:02 +0000

Today’s high-flying offenses sprouted from those Air Coryell seeds. He had an extraordinary impact on the modern professional game. Condolences to his family, friends, and former players in their loss. Rest in peace, Coach.

By: Brewster

Brewster — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:53:18 +0000

# robert ethen says: July 1, 2010 8:57 PM
No word yet on the toxicology tests.
_____________________
Another one of your lame attempts at humor. It wasn’t funny like most of your attempts.
_______________________________
Coryell was a great innovator and an excellent mentor to several future NFL Head Coaches.

By: Roger Goodell's a tool.

Roger Goodell's a tool. — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:49:38 +0000

RIP
He changed the game.

By: TheToolofTools

TheToolofTools — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:37:26 +0000

He was the “AIR” to the thrown and now he’s in heaven.
He was just great.

By: nflhof

nflhof — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:30:52 +0000

Sad day. RIP Coach Coryell.

By: Mrsteve

Mrsteve — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:23:49 +0000

Air Coryell,
Great teams. Couldn’t get past the Raiders & just plain quit against the Bengals but you can’t coach heart.

By: Bob Nelson

Bob Nelson — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:12:07 +0000

Really? Not a Terry Bradshaw thing?
The Coryell offense was entertaining and successful during much of the regular season.
One flaw it had was the failure to run time off the clock late in games.
A 3 incompletion 3 and out put the defense on the field far too soon.
Don Coryell was a fine coach and good man. The NFL could use many more like him in the league today.

By: Sunday Soldiers

Sunday Soldiers — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:07:15 +0000

Great Coach…R.I.P. Mr. Coryell

By: pdxbolt4life

pdxbolt4life — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:55:40 +0000

Thank you for all your contributions to the game Coach. You’ll be sorely missed. RIP.

By: Kevin from Philly

Kevin from Philly — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:44:47 +0000

Hopefully, this is another Bradshaw by Florio. Otherwise, condolences to the family.

By: turgid

turgid — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:43:28 +0000

robert ethen says:
July 1, 2010 8:57 PM
No word yet on the toxicology tests
__________________________________
You’re a prick . Show some maturity.
__________________________________
He was an innovator and a legend . May he Rest in Peace

By: mnmaverick

mnmaverick — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:40:23 +0000

Man, they’re dropping like flies.
Bill Walsh, John Wooden, Don Coryell, etc. Legends.

By: bigmike79

bigmike79 — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:38:11 +0000

R.I.P. Coach Coryell the offensive philosophies we watch today is because of you.

By: tbx59

tbx59 — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:36:35 +0000

And Houda 32, he brought you league MVP Brian Sipe as he coached him at SDSU