Dick Coury

Richard P. Coury (September 29, 1929 – August 15, 2020) was an American football coach. In a career that spanned across five decades, Coury coached with distinction on the high school, college, and professional levels. His most prominent posts were as head football coach at Cal State Fullerton from 1970 to 1971, the Portland Storm of the World Football League (WFL) in 1974, and the Boston/New Orleans/Portland Breakers of the United States Football League (USFL) from 1983 to 1985. He was named USFL Coach of the Year in 1983.

Biography

Coury was born to Lebanese-American parents, Thomas ("Tannous") and Mary Coury ("Khouri"). Thomas immigrated to the US in 1903 from Beirut, and Mary followed in 1910. Coury grew up in Athens, Ohio and was a star athlete in football, basketball, and baseball at Athens High School. A 1951 University of Notre Dame graduate, Coury was not a football player, but served as a student assistant for head coach Frank Leahy. After graduating from Notre Dame with a bachelor's degree in physical education, Coury enlisted in the U.S. Army where he, with a recommendation from Coach Leahy, became the backfield coach for the Camp Drake Bulldogs, a football team composed of U.S. Army Soldiers stationed in Japan during the Korean War. It would be the closest Corporal Coury would come to the shores of Korea. His first full-time coaching position was an assistant at Mater Dei High School in 1953 under head coach Tom Carter for two seasons, then under Steve Musseau until 1956. After four seasons, Coury moved up to head the program, compiling a record of 85–9–5 from 1957 to 1965, winning seven Angelus League titles, three CIF-Southern Section championships along with one runner-up finish. Among his many star players included quarterback and future Heisman Trophy winner John Huarte. He then joined University of Southern California coach John McKay's staff as defensive coordinator in 1966.

Coury then moved on to Cal State Fullerton, serving as the school's first head coach, tallying a record of 13–8–1 from 1970 and 1971.

Coury had also held coaching positions with the Denver Broncos, Houston Oilers, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers and San Diego Chargers in the National Football League. His last coaching job was with the St. Louis Rams before he retired in 1999 to become a scout.

Coury died on August 15, 2020, at the age of 90.

Personal

Coury was the father of current Lake Oswego High School football head coach Steve Coury.

Head coaching record

High School

College

WFL

USFL