Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023: Coach Don Coryell

Many years before there was an “Air Jordan,” there was “Air Coryell.”

In two stops as a head coach in the National Football League, offensive-minded Don Coryell led two teams that had few problems putting points on the board.

It Was In The Cards

He was named the head coach of the then-St. Louis Cardinals in 1973. After a rough 4-9-1 debut campaign, his team would surprise many by finishing 10-4 and 11-3 and winning back-to-back NFC East titles in 1974 and ’75, respectively. The Cards were dealt postseason losses to the Vikings (1974) and Rams (1975). In 1976, the team finished 10-4 but missed out on the playoffs. Prior to ’74, the franchise had won at least 10 games just twice.

Those Cardinals were led quarterback Jim Hart, running backs Terry Metcalf and Jim Otis and wide receiver Mel Gray. There was an offensive front spearheaded by Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Dierdorf. The team finished 7-7 in 1977, Coryell’s final season at the helm.

California, Here He Comes

It was off to San Diego in 1978. He took over as head coach of the Chargers after Tommy Prothro was dismissed following a 1-3 start that season. The club didn’t fare much better after he arrived. The club rebounded from what would be a 2-6 mark at the halfway point of the season. The Bolts won seven of their last eight games and finished 9-7, the team’s first winning campaign since 1969.

Coryell would spend eight-plus seasons with the Bolts. During his tenure, there were legendary offenses featuring Hall of Famers such as quarterback Dan Fouts, wide receiver Charlie Joiner and tight end Kellen Winslow. Running backs Chuck Muncie and James Brooks, as well as wide receivers John Jefferson and Wes Chandler were stars on those teams as well. Those Chargers won three straight AFC West titles from 1979 but never got over the hump in terms of winning a league championship.

In 13-plus seasons as an NFL head coach, Coryell owns a combined 114-89-1 record (including playoffs). While he never guided a club to a Super Bowl, his impact on the game is unquestioned.