The finalists for the Class of 2020 for the Pro Football Hall of Fame were announced on Wednesday.
For the seventh time, the legendary coach, Don Coryell, is a finalist to be enshrined in Canton, OH.
Coryell coached the Chargers from 1978-86, posting a 72-60 all-time record. Under him, the Bolts won three division titles, played in four divisional playoff games and two AFC Championship Games.
But it’s not what he accomplished while serving as the head coach, it’s how he revolutionized the game. The “Air Coryell” offense was the first time that teams utilized the passing game to attack defenses.
Quarterback Dan Fouts led the league in passing yards four straight seasons (1978-82) to become the first player to surpass 4,000 yards in three consecutive seasons.
Coryell was the first to do it and now many NFL teams are using it. It is now referred to as the West Coast offense because the San Francisco 49ers won Super Bowls with it, but it was originated in San Diego.
His creation also forced defenses to bring in extra defensive backs to slow the passing attack, in which we refer to as nickel and dime defenses nowadays.
Coryell, who changed the game of football, is worthy of being in the Hall of Fame.
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