Remembering John Madden as a coach and teacher of the game

Visit my website homepage, TomShanahan.Report By TOM SHANAHAN The passing of John Madden Tuesday at age 85 reminded me of how he was such a good teacher of football when he switched to TV analyst. Most stories about Madden will focus on his career as a head coach with the Oakland Raiders and as a TV analyst. I'm choosing to remind readers of his time working under Don Coryell at San Diego State. Madden showed at a memorial…

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Bobby Bowden on the night Florida State gained an iconic identity

The news that College Football Hall of Famer Bobby Bowden died on Sunday at age 91 reminded me of my 2010 interview with him. We discussed how he copied q San Diego State tradition on what became a landmark night for Florida State’s national identity despite suffering a loss at San Diego State. By TOM SHANAHAN Bobby Bowden vividly recalls Nov. 19, 1977 when his 13th-ranked Florida State team played at San Diego State. Bowden returned home with…

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Don Coryell and case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame from Dan Fouts

PHOTO: Don Coryell and Dan Fouts in their Air Coryell years changing the game of football. By TOM SHANAHAN 'John Madden, Joe Gibbs and Dan Fouts sat together as Don Coryell disciples for their mentor’s 2010 memorial on San Diego State’s campus. They shared the same thoughts delivering eulogies, but Fouts admits Madden said it best. “All three of us are in all Hall of the Fame because of Don Coryell,” said Madden, chocking up. “Something is missing.” Madden’s…

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