Don Coryell

American football coach

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July 19, 2026

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Don Coryell was an influential American football coach known for his innovative offensive strategies. He is most famous for developing the "Air Coryell" offense, which revolutionized the passing game in the NFL. This offense, characterized by its vertical passing attack and emphasis on stretching the field, significantly impacted how teams approached offense.

Coryell coached the San Diego Chargers from 1978 to 1986, transforming quarterback Dan Fouts into a star and leading the team to four consecutive postseason appearances between 1979 and 1982. His innovative coaching style and offensive schemes left a lasting legacy on professional football.1

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Los Angeles Chargers
…past form when they hired Don Coryell as head coach five games into the 1978 season. Coryell reinvigorated the play of quarterback Dan Fouts, who became the centrepiece of an aerial attack that led the league in passing yards for a record six consecutive seasons (1978–83). Also featuring superstars wide…
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…past form when they hired Don Coryell as head coach five games into the 1978 season. Coryell reinvigorated the play of quarterback Dan Fouts, who became the centrepiece of an aerial attack that led the league in passing yards for a record six consecutive seasons (1978–83). Also featuring superstars wide…
Read More