June 24, 2011
SAN DIEGO -
San Diego State University recently honored Don Coryell by unveiling a bust of the legendary head coach on June 14. The former Aztec and San Diego Chargers' head coach passed away July 1, 2010, at the age of 85.
"Universities are about excellence and Don Coryell represents the excellence of San Diego State University," SDSU president Dr. Stephen Weber said. "He set a national bar, he won national championships and he transformed lives as well as transforming this university in moving us from the collegiate level to the university level. We need to honor that and recognize it, and today gave us the chance to do that."
The bronze bust of Coryell was created by SDSU professor emeritus Jess Dominguez. His work can be found at other spots on campus, including the War Memorial at Aztec Green, the statue of President Black near the Old Quad and a relief at the Lipinsky Tower.
During his time at San Diego State, Coryell compiled an astounding 104-19-2 record, capturing two national college division championships along the way. During his dozen seasons at SDSU, the team posted winning streaks of 31 and 25 games, completed unbeaten and untied campaigns in 1966 and 1969 and only endured one year with more than one loss. San Diego State secured three bowl victories during Coryell's tenure and produced multiple gridiron stars, including current Aztec assistant coach Brian Sipe.
"This day is long overdue and I say this with all due respect to President Weber in his effort to have this wonderful bust made to memorialize Don Coryell," Sipe said. "He was a special man, so this is overdue in the minds of so many of us here."
It was Coryell who was the driving force in San Diego State's efforts to move from an NCAA college division (Division II) to a university division (Division I) program, a move that was brought to fruition in 1969. He was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999, and the Aztec Hall of Fame in 1988.
Moving to the NFL, Coryell won division titles with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1974 and 1975. His dynamic San Diego Chargers won AFC West titles in 1979, 1980 and 1981, and went to the playoffs four times. He was NFL Coach of the Year in 1979, and made "Air Coryell" the most prolific passing offense in NFL history.