Don Coryell again is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and this time his competition includes only fellow coaches.
That doesn’t mean it will be any easier for the former Chargers and Cardinals (and San Diego State) coach to be inducted.
Eight coaches were included Thursday among the 38 finalists for the Hall of Fame’s Centennial Class of 2020, a group chosen by a 25-member of pro football experts. The class was created in conjunction with the NFL’s centennial and it is separate from the regular voting for the Hall of Fame that takes place each year the day before the Super Bowl. Coryell has been a finalist five times in that voting (2010, 2015-17, 2019) but has never made the cut.
The will meet in January to choose 10 players, three contributors and two coaches for induction next summer.
The competition Coryell faces is fierce. The other nominated coaches include five who won at least one Super Bowl — Bill Cowher, Tom Flores, Mike Holmgren, Jimmy Johnson and Dick Vermeil — plus Buddy Parker and Dan Reeves.
The 20 nominated players are running backs Roger Craig, Cecil Isbell (who also played defensive back) and Verne Lewellen; wide receivers Cliff Branch, Harold Carmichael, LaVern Dilweg, Drew Pearson and Mac Speedie; offensive linemen Jimbo Covert, Ox Emerson, Winston Hill, Duke Slater and Al Wistert (who also played defensive tackle); defensive tackle Alex Karras, linebackers Randy Gradishar, Tommy Nobis and Ed Sprinkle (who also played defensive line); and defensive backs Bobby Dillon, Cliff Harris and Donnie Shell.
The contributors category finalists are Bud Adams, owner of the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans until 2013; Ralph Hay, a founder of the league; Frank “Bucko” Kilroy, a scout and executive with four franchises; Art McNally, an official and head of officiating for the NFL; Art Modell, owner of the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens until 2011; Clint Murchison, founder and owner until 1983 of the Dallas Cowboys; Steve Sabol, and president of NFL Films until 2012; Seymour Siwoff, owner and president of the Elias Sports Bureau; Paul Tagliabue, NFL commissioner from 1989-2006; and George Young, executive for the league and three teams.
(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)
