Put Don Coryell in the Hall of Fame (sortof)

by John Gennaro on Oct 19, 2009 7:49 AM PDT

There are two types of hall of famers, in any professional sport. There are the guys that go in right away (like Jerry Rice will) because they were the best at their position for a long, long time. Then there are the guys that need a groundswell of support to get into the hall because they were either the best for a short period of time, or they were great but not necessarily the best.

Compared to head coaches today, Don Coryell was the Chargers' Head Coach for a long time. However, for his time an nine-year tenure was fairly average. During that short amount of time, Don Coryell developed the "Air Coryell" offenses that inspired the offenses of today's NFL and turned Dan Fouts into a star.

Coryell's career record stands at 111-83 (69-56 with Chargers) and led his team to the playoffs in 6 out of his 14 years of coaching. In his 9 years with the Chargers his offense ranked in the top 6 in all but one season. That's incredible offensive dominance.

Currently, the San Diego Chargers have 10 players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I believe Don Coryell was successful enough, and inspirational enough, that he deserves to be #11. JCPenney and Van Heusen are doing, for the first time ever, a "Fans' Choice" selection for the Hall of Fame. Although Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith and Cris Carter are the obvious choices that will most likely win the voting, if Chargers fans can get Coryell into the top 5 or top 10 it could be the beginning of the groundswell that eventually propels Don in.

So go here and vote. You're allowed 7 choices on your Hall of Fame ballot, so vote for who you believe are the best selections....just make sure you leave one of those choices available for Don Coryell.

This post is sponsored by JCPenney and Van Heusen

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If you think about it, (and John Madden, Joe Gibbs, Mike Martz, et al agree)

The modern NFL offense is derived from the “west-coast offense” offense developed by Coryell at San Diego State and perfected with the Chargers as the “Air-Coryell” offense of yore.

So, its kinda the biggest travesty in sports history that this man isn’t in the NFL hall of fame.

Mountain West Connection ::Above the Rest::
A kid who has a unicorn ranch in his room cannot call other people weird. Yes, we know about "Rancho Unicorno."

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Oct 19, 2009 8:06 AM PDT reply actions 3 recs

Rec'd

Coryell’s coaching tree spreads to nearly every coach in this league. He completely transformed the offensive game of today and it’s ridiculous that he isn’t in the Hall already.

"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" - Groucho Marx

by sdpads24 on Oct 19, 2009 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions

he has to get in

The only reason he isn’t is no Super Bowl win. There are coaches with much flimsier resume’s in the Hall, but they have rings. He was an innovator, and as sdsuaztec4 correctly states, it’s the biggest travesty in sports history that he isn’t in.
Yet.
He will get in. He has too much support, and too many people owe him a debt of gratitude for their fame and success (Gibbs, Fouts, etc.)

by Hoot1969 on Oct 19, 2009 8:32 AM PDT reply actions

I agree.

One of the most creative minds in football is more than deserving of the nod. It is a travesty and I’ll sign the petition.

Perhaps just as unfair is the fact that Floyd Little is not already a member. He was “The Franchise” during a time when the Broncos were perennially weak. He almost single handedly saved pro football in Denver.

Unfortunately, this particular site (linked above) doesn’t take into account neglected masters. It is designed only to recommend those who are more recently eligible.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Oct 19, 2009 11:04 AM PDT reply actions

second Floyd Little

by Hoot1969 on Oct 19, 2009 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions

I think Atwater should be higher

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Oct 19, 2009 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Gradishar?

by Hoot1969 on Oct 19, 2009 12:19 PM PDT reply actions

meant to reply to John's Atwater post

by Hoot1969 on Oct 19, 2009 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Thanks, John and Hoot.

I would rank them Little, Gradishar and then Atwater, but there is Atwater’s hit on Okoya. That hit was one for the ages. I’ll bet the Nigerian Nightmare’s ears are still ringing, lol.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Oct 19, 2009 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Air Coryell

Don Coryell deserves to be in the HOF, now all we have to do is convince Peter King about that (detect the sarcasm.) He took a team that wasn’t very good and coached them into being winners. That is what HOF coaches do. He turned us into contenders; who can forget ’81 playoffs against the dolphins? But I also must point out, ’tec, that Coryells time at SDSU was not as significant to people who did not go there. His time on the Chargers is enough to get him in. SDSU was just a cherry on top.

John, MJs next week?

Bring back Balboa Stadium.

by calipatrick on Oct 19, 2009 1:52 PM PDT reply actions