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 Mater Dei High School (CA) from 1957 to 1965, 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.USFL Coach Of Year Goes To Dick Coury
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."United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X4SM-ZB4 : accessed 19 August 2020), Thomas Coury, Athens, Athens, Ohio, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 5, sheet 3B, line 75, family 69, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 1749; FHL microfilm 2,341,483. 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.The original ‘Big O,’ long before Oscar 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.NFL coach recalls first boss After four seasons, Coury moved up to head the program, compiling a record of 85–9–5 from 1957 to 1965, winning seven league titles and 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, helping the Trojans to four consecutive Rose Bowls along with a national championship in 1967.
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.Los Angeles Times; January 20, 1999
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 Year Team Regular Season PostseasonWon LostTiesWin %Finish Result 1957Mater Dei11011st in Parochial LeagueCIF-SS Southern Group Champions 1958Mater Dei9211st in Parochial LeagueCIF-SS 2-A Division Semifinalists 1959Mater Dei11101st in Parochial LeagueCIF-SS 2-A Division Finalists 1960Mater Dei11101st in Parochial LeagueCIF-SS 2-A Division Champions 1961Mater Dei621T-2nd in Angelus Leaguedid not qualify1962Mater Dei9111st in Angelus LeagueCIF-SS 3-A Division Quarterfinalists 1963Mater Dei9101st in Angelus LeagueCIF-SS 4-A Division First Round 1964Mater Dei7102nd in Angelus Leaguedid not qualify 1965Mater Dei12011st in Angelus LeagueCIF-SS 4-A Division Champions Total 85 9 5
College
WFL Year Team Regular Season PostseasonWon LostTiesWin %FinishWonLostWin % Result1974Portland Storm7121T-3rd in Western Divisiondid not qualify Total 7 12 1 - -
USFL Year Team Regular Season PostseasonWon LostTiesWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result1983Boston Breakers11702nd in Atlantic Divisiondid not qualify 1984New Orleans Breakers8100 3rd in Southern Division did not qualify1985Portland Breakers 6120 4th in Western Conference did not qualifyTotal 25290 --
References