Don Coryell
Coaching Record
| Years Coached | Record | Win % | Playoff record | Playoff win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 112-86-1 | 56.53% | 3-6 | 33.33% |
Coaching Tree
Children:
Gunther Cunningham, Rod Dowhower, Joe Gibbs, Jim Hanifan, Jim L. Mora (Jr.), Al Saunders
Biography
Career Summary
Don Coryell was a football coach in the National Football League (NFL) from 1973 to 1986, finishing his career as the head coach of the San Diego Chargers. Over his fourteen years of coaching his teams compiled a cumulative win/loss record of 115-91-1. During his career he was a head coach for thirteen seasons, first with the St. Louis Cardinals. He led the Cardinals for five seasons, compiling a record of 42-27-1. He was fired from the Cardinals on Wednesday, January 18, 1978. His next head coaching stint was with the San Diego Chargers from 1979 to 1986, as he led the team to a 64-57-0 record. He resigned from the Chargers on Thursday, October 30, 1986. During his entire head coaching career, his two teams combined for a record of 106-84-1 across thirteen seasons including going 3-6-0 in the playoffs.
Career Awards
Coryell won the NFL's Coach of the Year award in 1974 after guiding the Cardinals to a 10-4-0 record and a a berth in the playoffs. As the head coach of the San Diego Chargers he coached two players to award-winning seasons: Dan Fouts, AP Offensive Player of the Year in 1982; Leslie O'Neal, AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1986.
Don Coryell Coaching Tree
Before he was a head coach, Coryell served as an assistant coach for Tommy Prothro. He spent one years as an assistant coach to Tommy Prothro, finishing as the interim head coach in 1978. During his time as head coach, six assistant coaches, (Rod Dowhower, Joe Gibbs, Jim Hanifan, Al Saunders, Gunther Cunningham, and Jim L. Mora (Jr.)) on his coaching staff were hired as head coaches across the league. His coaching tree has combined for a record of 262-233-1 in the regular season and 18-9 in the playoffs during their thirty-two seasons as head coach after serving on his coaching staffs. The coaching tree has combined for three championships, most recently in 1991 by the Washington Redskins, led by Joe Gibbs.
Personal Information
Coryell was born on Friday, October 17, 1924 in Seattle, Washington. He died on Thursday, July 1, 2010 at the age of 85.
History
| Year | Position | Record | Playoff record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 San Diego Chargers | Head Coach | 1-7-0 | 0-0 |
| 1985 San Diego Chargers | Head Coach | 8-8-0 | 0-0 |
| 1984 San Diego Chargers | Head Coach | 7-9-0 | 0-0 |
| 1983 San Diego Chargers | Head Coach | 6-10-0 | 0-0 |
| 1982 San Diego Chargers | Head Coach | 6-3-0 | 1-1 |
| 1981 San Diego Chargers | Head Coach | 10-6-0 | 1-1 |
| 1980 San Diego Chargers | Head Coach | 11-5-0 | 1-1 |
| 1979 San Diego Chargers | Head Coach | 12-4-0 | 0-1 |
| 1978 San Diego Chargers | Interim Head Coach | 9-7-0 | 0-0 |
| 1977 St. Louis Cardinals | Head Coach | 7-7-0 | 0-0 |
| 1976 St. Louis Cardinals | Head Coach | 10-4-0 | 0-0 |
| 1975 St. Louis Cardinals | Head Coach | 11-3-0 | 0-1 |
| 1974 St. Louis Cardinals | Head Coach | 10-4-0 | 0-1 |
| 1973 St. Louis Cardinals | Head Coach | 4-9-1 | 0-0 |
Coach history guide
| Seasons with a championship win | Seasons with a conference championship |
Coach facts
- Years as head coach: 13
- Named the interim head coach during the 1978 season for the San Diego Chargers
- Coach of the Year: 1974
- Led the league in wins: 1979
- Second in total wins for the Los Angeles Chargers.
- Third in total wins for the Arizona Cardinals.
- Third in winning percentage for the Arizona Cardinals.
- Fifth in winning percentage for the Los Angeles Chargers.
- Most playoff wins in Los Angeles Chargers history (3)
- Past teams coached for: San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Cardinals
- College Attended: Washington Huskies
- Date of Birth: Friday, October 17, 1924 (85 years old), Seattle, Washington