Editor’s note: This article was originally published on February 6, 2016 and has been updated to reflect Coryell’s induction into the Hall of Fame.
As the innovator of “The Greatest Show on the Turf” and the head coach responsible for leading the St. Louis Rams to victory in Super Bowl XXXIV, Mike Martz is an NFL offensive guru. I had a front row seat to learn about the origins of that offense. 50 years ago.
During his 12 seasons at San Diego State University, former San Diego Chargers head coach Don Coryell compiled an impressive record of 104-19-2 and won two Division II championships.
The Aztecs went undefeated during Coryell’s tenure in 1966 and 1969 with winning streaks of 31 and 21 games. Coryell helped lead the Aztecs from Division II to a Division I program in 1969.
“How many times do college teams go to their opponents at halftime and say, ‘Hey, listen, we’re going to take a long time in the second half,'” Martz said, “or else this is going to be really tough.” It’s going to be ugly. ‘
“He put that much pressure on people in the passing game, and they had never seen that before. He started everything by throwing third-down passes on first down. He was just relentless. “It was a no-holds-barred attack, a no-holds-barred attack.” – Forbidden.
“He had a Midas-like vibe about him. Everywhere he went, he showed explosive power like no one had ever seen. And ultimately he took the conservatism out of people. And they changed. They started embracing the passing game.”
Coryell will be posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday.
Martz, a San Diego native, was a slow tight end at Mesa Junior College when Coryell’s offense was lighting up scoreboards at San Diego State.
Martz loved Coryell as a coach and had a strong desire to play for him. However, Martz did not fit into Coryell’s system. Six of Martz’s other teammates were scouted to play for the Aztecs, but Martz ended up playing at Fresno State instead.
Still, Coryell remembered him. A few years later, as an assistant coach at Arizona State, Mertz visited his hometown on a recruiting trip and stopped by San Diego State to visit with his fellow coaches.
Coryell, of course, was working out players on the practice field and spotted Mertz about 80 yards away.
“I thought, ‘Oh my God, we’re in trouble,'” Martz said. “I shouldn’t be here and he’s going to kick me out of here. Then he walks up and says, ‘Hi, Mike Martz. It’s so nice to see you, how are you?’
“I was stunned. How did he know my name? How did he know who I was? But it was Don. He’s a man no one will ever forget. did.”
“I wanted to play for him so bad. Everyone who grew up here wanted to play for Don Coryell. That’s what you want. I went to Fresno State. “But you grow up wanting to be a part of it, because they’re the only team that anyone has ever seen. I knew it was something I had never done before.”
Coryell, who passed away in July 2010, finished his coaching tenure with the Chargers after a 14-year NFL career.
Mertz paid tribute to his mentor by bringing Coryell to St. Louis as a guest at the Rams’ preseason home games every season during his time with the Rams. Coryell attended the pregame coin toss, interacted with players throughout the week, and even attended events hosted by former St. Louis Cardinals players.
Of course, Coryell had a lot of success himself while serving as head coach of the St. Louis Cardinals, winning district championships in 1974 and 1975. Coryell’s Cardinals had a record of 42-27-1 in five seasons.
“Everyone who played for us with the Rams understood that we were doing this because of this guy’s actions,” Martz said. “He created this whole system and philosophy, and we’re just continuing that tradition. So when they finally got to meet him, some of the guys like Isaac , [Bruce] We were in awe of the man – and rightly so. ”
While Coryell has had success as a head coach and is known for his offensive innovation, Martz said what is sometimes overlooked is the relationships he builds with players and his ability to motivate and coach. Told.
“Talk to anyone who played for him,” Martz said. “I don’t care if it was at San Diego State in 1968 or later with the Chargers. If you listen to the people who were coaches and players on your team, They talk about the coach with love and respect.”
“He was very modest and had no ego at all.”