When a San Diego football legend’s life was celebrated after his recent death, the pastor of a Point Loma-area church had the honor of officiating at an emotional ceremony attended by pro football Hall of Famers, coaches and thousands of grieving fans on July 12. Don Coryell, considered by many to be the father of modern passing-attack football strategies, died July 1 at the age of 85 following a lengthy illness. Described by many as a genius, Coryell first arrived in San Diego in 1961 to resuscitate a sinking San Diego State University (SDSU) team that had been abandoned by the community. Thus began San Diego’s love affair with Coryell. Over the next 12 seasons, Coryell and his assistants — including future Pro Football Hall of Famers John Madden and Joe Gibbs — brought national recognition to the Aztecs. During that time, the team went 104-19-2, finishing undefeated in 1966, 1968 and 1969. In 1978, Coryell was named coach of the San Diego Chargers in mid-season, when the term “Air Coryell” was coined to describe the prolific and relentless passing game he introduced that has thrilled fans in the National Football League for decades. His Chargers’ (72-60) and earlier St. Louis Cardinals’ (43-29-1) win-loss records give an NFL career mark of 115-89-1.  The celebration of Coryell’s life was held at SDSU’s Viejas Arena, built on the former site of the venerable Aztec Bowl where Coryell’s teams played to overflow crowds. Officiating at the July 12 celebration was Pastor Miles McPherson of Point Loma’s Rock Church. A former Charger himself, McPherson introduced himself to a crowd of more 2,500, then flung off his sport coat to reveal the bright blue No. 24 jersey he wore during his four seasons with the Bolts (1982-85). “Today, I’m a defensive back for Don Coryell,” McPherson proclaimed. Also in the audience were scores of former Aztec and Charger players along with the entire 2010 Aztec football team, in game jerseys, who somberly marched into the arena to pay respect to the football genius who sometimes attended their practices and games. County Supervisor Ron Roberts, who once had Coryell as a his racquetball instructor at SDSU, presented family members with a Board of Supervisors proclamation naming July 12 “Don Coryell Day.” Five famous football figures from Coryell’s life spoke, bringing waves of laughter with stories of their feisty but forgetful mentor’s often confusing actions, compounded by his characteristic lisp. Among them was iconic TV commentator and Hall of Fame coach John Madden, once hired by Coryell as an Aztec assistant. He described one of Coryell’s household chores, which involved loading the garbage cans in his station wagon and driving them to a distant downhill curb for pickup. Before arriving at the curb, however, Coryell’s thoughts turned to the next game, and “90 percent of the time,” according to Madden, “he arrived at San Diego State with the garbage cans still in the car.” “Don’s trash day was the same day coaches went out to dinner together after practice,” Madden added, “and after that, garbage sat all day in the heat, the stench was unbearable. And Don would cheerfully say, ‘Let’s go out for dinner. I’ll drive,’” Madden recalled as the audience roared with laughter. Picking up on this memory was Hall of Fame Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts, who recalled Coryell’s first game as Charger head coach. Ironically, the opponents were the hated Oakland Raiders and their by-then head coach Madden. Coryell was in fine form, building animosity for his foe. Impersonating his beloved coach’s lisp, Fouts exclaimed “John Madden! Hell, I used to drive that guy around with my garbage!” earning the loudest laughter of the celebration. Fouts and others urged pro football’s Hall of Fame to enshrine Coryell, the first coach in history to win 100 games in both college and pro football. Some feel it will happen next year after Coryell reached the final ballot this year. Family members told about the serenity and peace of Coryell’s retirement home in a small cove of the San Juan Islands in the Puget Sound. When his wife passed away two years ago, Coryell moved back to San Diego to live with his daughter and family. He spent most of the past year in hospitals as his health further declined.