Coach Don Coryell has died at age 85. Few who grew up during the 1980's will EVER forget the "Air Coryell" offense of the San Diego Chargers. They racked up points like a pinball machine and, unfortunately for them, also allowed other teams to rack up points like a pinball machine.
Probably the greatest team to never make a superbowl, the Charger were of course led by Coryell and QB Dan Fouts and were probably involved in 2 of the most famous NFL playoff games, in back to back weeks. The 1981 AFC divisional match up in Miami versus the Dolphins, which saw Kellen Winslow do just about everything in helping the Chargers to make the AFC Championship. Then of course, that Championship game was played right here in Cincinnati, in a -59 degree windchill. The Bengals came away 27-7 winners and halted perhaps San Diego's best chance at the Superbowl.
Coryell was an offensive innovator that would see his style tinkered with until it turned into the run and shoot offense of the 1990's. A lot of teams used it, but none ever ran it as well as San Diego and the original "Air Coryell".
Rest In Peace, Coach.
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