More Than 1,200 Attend Memorial for Coaching Legend 

Current Aztec football players are among the crowd of more than 1,200 attending Don Coryell's memorial service at Viejas Arena. (Ernie Anderson photo)

A crowd of more than 1,200 gathered at Viejas Arena July 12 to celebrate the life of San Diego State and Chargers coaching legend, Don Coryell.  Coryell died July 1 after a long illness at the age of 85.

Among those attending along with Coryell family members were dozens of former NFL coaches and players and current SDSU football players.  The service was open to the public and many in the crowd on the arena floor and in the stands were decked out in Aztec and Chargers football jerseys in tribute to the only coach ever to lead football teams to more than 100 victories at both the college and professional levels.  

Program from Don Coryell memorial service.

Coryell's son, Mike Coryell, thanked all who attended including "all the players, coaches and friends. He talked about his father's early life growing up in the state of Washington and the enduring relationships he forged throughout his life.  "He made deep friendships that lasted a lifetime," Mike Coryell said.

Billy Thompson, director of community outreach for the Denver Broncos, delivered a tribute on behalf of his team. "I bring to the Coryell family, the San Diego Chargers and all of San Diego our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Coach Coryell," he said.

San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts ('65) delivered a proclamation declaring the day "Don Coryell Day" in San Diego County. "He changed this school in a significant way.  He changed San Diego in a significant way.  He changed football in a significant way," Roberts said of Coryell.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach John Madden delivers a eulogy for Don Coryell. (Ernie Anderson photo)

Among those offering eulogies were several former Coryell players and assistant coaches who went on to have standout careers in the NFL, including Fred Dryer ('68), Dan Fouts, Joe Gibbs ('64), Jim Hanifan and John Madden.  Fouts's impressions of his former coach and Dryer's story of his first meeting with Coryell and a careening car trip to the San Diego State campus had the crowd roaring with laughter. 

The service lasted a little longer than two hours.  In lieu of flowers, family members requested contributions be made to the Don Coryell Scholarship Fund in care of The Campanile Foundation, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182-4313.

Coach Coryell is considered an innovator of the modern passing game.  His “Air Coryell” offense produced some of the most dynamic passing attacks in NFL history, affecting how defenses play even to this day. But his legacy at San Diego State extends far beyond the football field as SDSU Alumni Association Executive Director Jim Herrick observes in his blog, “Directly Speaking.”