On August 3rd, 2019, the Pro Football Hall of Fame welcomed a new member to its ranks: Don Coryell. Coryell was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his pioneering work in developing the Air Coryell offense. This offense revolutionized the way football was played and changed the game forever.
Don Coryell was born in 1924 in California and attended Stanford University, where he played football and earned his degree in education. After college, he began his coaching career at the high school level. He then moved on to coaching college football at Whittier College and San Diego State University. It was at San Diego State that he began to develop the Air Coryell offense.
The Air Coryell offense was a revolutionary system of passing that changed the way football was played. It was based on the idea that passing the ball downfield was more effective than running it. This allowed teams to score more points and create more exciting games. The offense also featured a strong emphasis on the tight end position, which had previously been overlooked.
Coryell’s offensive system was so successful that it was adopted by many NFL teams. It helped teams like the San Diego Chargers and St. Louis Rams reach the Super Bowl. It also helped create a new era of passing-oriented offenses in the NFL.
Don Coryell’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to his pioneering work in developing the Air Coryell offense. His system revolutionized the way football was played and changed the game forever. His legacy will live on for generations to come.
