Don Coryell

Don Coryell ( born October 17, 1924 in Seattle, Washington; † July 1, 2010 in La Mesa, California ) was an US- American football coach in the National Football League ( NFL).

College coach

After three years as head coach for the Whittier College and a year as assistant to John McKay at USC Trojans, he became head coach of the San Diego State University. Here he coached the San Diego Aztecs from 1961 to 1972, scoring a win rate of 104 wins to 19 defeats and two draws. At times John Madden was his assistant coach for the defense.

National Football League ( NFL)

St. Louis Cardinals

After leaving the Aztecs he was wipe 1973 and 1977 Head Coach of the St. Louis Cardinals and won with Jim Hart at quarterback in 1974 and 1975, twice the NFC East. In 1974 he was elected by the Associated Press for NFL Coach of the Year Award. In addition, he scored with a record of 42-27-1, a winning percentage of 67 percent, while the Cardinals were able to win only 45 percent of their games in the previous 22 seasons. Although his work in St. Louis represented only a small part of his work as a trainer, he created in the local Busch Memorial Stadium his Air Coryell called offensive tactics. Assistant coach for offensive Back Fields was Joe Gibbs.

San Diego Chargers

This tactic he extended further than he coach of the San Diego Chargers in 1978 became Head. During his local permanent occupation until 1986 his innovations led the team to 69 wins in 56 defeats. During this time, led by quarterback Dan Fouts offense set new NFL records in almost every season. Two further supports his team were the wide receiver Charles Joiner and tight end Kellen Winslow. Although in 1980 and 1981 led the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship Game, he never was able to reach the Super Bowl. Coach of the offense was there 1979-1980 again Joe Gibbs.

During his 14 years as head coach in the NFL, he reached a quota of 111 wins, 83 losses and one draw.

Non-inclusion in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and training innovations

In February 2010, Coryell was the first on the list of nominees for inclusion in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was not included despite prominent supporter.

Nevertheless, his innovations were swaying; so he created the so-called Three Digit play -calling system that is now used by almost every team in the NFL.