At long last, Don Coryell is a Pro Football Hall of Famer.
The former Big Red head coach was part of the 2023 Hall of Fame Class who were enshrined this afternoon in Canton, Ohio. Coryell, one of the greatest head coaches in franchise history, compiled a 42-27-1 record during his five seasons in St. Louis (1973-1977).
In 1974, Coryell was named NFL Coach of the Year after leading the Cardinals to the postseason for the first time since 1948 and winning their first of two consecutive NFC East titles.
A falling out with owner Bill Bidwill led to him leaving the Cardinals after the 1977 season and he was soon hired by the San Diego Chargers where his “Air Coryell” offense became one of the most prolific in NFL history.
“We are all so happy for his family,” Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Dierdorf told the St. Louis Post Dispatch. “The family gets to celebrate, as do his former players and his former assistant coaches who are still around. I know ‘better late than never’ is a phrase that some people might want to apply here. But it’s bittersweet. I’m sorry, Don Coryell got elected to the Hall of Fame and you’re euphoric for three or four seconds before it hits you that—God, wouldn’t it have been something if he had still been alive to appreciate it.”
Coryell passed away in 2010 at the age of 85. His daughter Mindy spoke at his enshrinement today and may have had the best line when she closed her speech by saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, Air Coryell has landed in Canton.”
THE BIG RED ZONE 
This gives me mixed feelings as well. You can’t be happier for the Coryell family. However, at the same time, you really are sad that Coach Don Coryell isn’t still here to enjoy this well deserved honor with family and former players and colleagues who always loved him and always recognized his football genius. The so called experts can say what the want. One of the first coaching pioneers of the West Coast Offense was Coach Don Coryell.
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