Charlie Coffey facts for kids
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 28, 1934 Bedford County, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | August 24, 2015 (aged 81) Shelbyville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1953–1955 | Tennessee |
| Position(s) | Guard |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| ? | Hialeah HS (FL) |
| ? | Southeastern Louisiana (assistant) |
| ? | George Washington (assistant) |
| 1963–1965 | Tennessee (DL) |
| 1966–1970 | Arkansas (DC) |
| 1971–1973 | Virginia Tech |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 12–20–1 |
Charles Edward Coffey (born June 28, 1934 – died August 24, 2015) was an important figure in American football. He was both a player and a coach. Charlie Coffey was born in Shelbyville, Tennessee.
He played football at the University of Tennessee. There, he was a guard from 1953 to 1955. He even became the team captain in his final year. Charlie Coffey was also a great student. He had the highest grades on the team for all four years. Later, he became the head football coach at Virginia Tech. He coached there from 1971 to 1973. His team's record during that time was 12 wins, 20 losses, and 1 tie.
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Charlie Coffey's Coaching Journey
After finishing college, Charlie Coffey started his coaching career. His first job was as an assistant coach. He worked at Hialeah High School in Miami, Florida. Then, he spent five years coaching at Southeastern Louisiana University.
Moving Up in College Football
Next, Coffey coached at George Washington University in Washington D.C.. After that, he returned to his old college, the University of Tennessee. He coached the defensive line there from 1963 to 1965. In 1965, he got a big offer. He joined the coaching staff at the University of Arkansas. He became their defensive coordinator. During this time, Charlie Coffey became known as a strong leader. People saw him as an excellent football coach.
Becoming a Head Coach
After five years at Arkansas, three different schools wanted him as their head coach. He visited Virginia Tech first. In 1971, he decided to become their head football coach. He didn't even need to visit the other schools!
When he arrived at Virginia Tech, Coffey made big changes. He created a strong passing offense. This helped their quarterback Don Strock lead the nation in passing in 1972. Charlie Coffey also worked to promote the team. He improved the athletic facilities. Attendance at Virginia Tech games grew to record numbers. A big moment in 1972 was when Tech beat the 19th-ranked Oklahoma State team. He coached for three seasons, from 1971 to 1973. His final record there was 12 wins, 20 losses, and 1 tie.
Life After Football Coaching
After his coaching career, Charlie Coffey started a new path. In 1975, he entered the trucking business. By 1980, he had founded his own company. It was called Nationwide Express trucking company.
His Final Years
Charlie Coffey passed away at the age of 81. He died at his home in Shelbyville, Tennessee. This was on August 24, 2015.
