Former Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Larry Coyer died Friday at age 79.
His family attributed his death to a “sudden illness.”
Coyer coached in high school, college, the USFL and the NFL from 1965 through 2014.
He was the Broncos’ defensive coordinator from 2003-06 and held the same role with the Colts from 2009-11.
“We’re deeply saddened by the passing of former Broncos defensive coordinator Larry Coyer,” the Broncos said in a statement. “A widely respected coach with a distinguished and remarkable 50-plus-year career, Larry was a key part of four Broncos playoff teams and their 2005 AFC Championship Game berth. Our hearts go out to the Coyer family.”
Coyer was an assistant head coach and defensive line coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2007-08.
His lengthy collegiate resume shows stops at Bowling Green, Iowa, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, UCLA, Houston, Ohio State, East Carolina, Pitts and New Mexico State.
He coached in the USFL with the Michigan Panthers (1983-84) and Memphis Showboats (1985). The Panthers won the league’s inaugural championship in 1983.
–Field Level Media
