Hall of Fame

Don Coryell

Don Coryell

  • Class
  • Induction
    1999
  • Sport(s)
Position: Coach
Years: Whittier [CA] (1957-59), San Diego State (1961-72)
Place of Birth: Seattle, WA
Date of Birth: Oct 17, 1924
Place of Death: La Mesa, CA
Date of Death: Jul 01, 2010

Don Coryell is the only coach to win 100 games at both the college and pro level. He revolutionized the passing game in college. His offense, called "Air Coryell," was a high-scoring bonanza. Coryell coached Whittier College 1957-59 with a 23-5-1 record. He coached San Diego State 1961-72 with a 104-19-2 mark. His college totals, 15 years, 127-24-3, was a high percentage, .833. He coached pro with the St. Louis Cardinals 1973-1977 and San Diego Chargers 1978-86, and his record was 115-89-1. At San Diego State, he was district Coach of the Year four times. He coached as the school moved from small college scheduling to division I-A in the NCAA. In 1967-70 his San Diego State team had a streak of 32 straight games without a defeat. (There was one tie between streaks of 10 and 21 wins.) Coryell lettered in football at the University of Washington in 1949. He obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees at Washington
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