Kenneth Ray Callahan(April 28, 1933 – September 2, 2017) was anAmerican footballplayer and coach. He was recruited by CoachPaul Bear Bryantat theUniversity of Kentuckyin 1952 under a full scholarship. Coach Bryant mentored him often taking him fishing and along on other recruiting trips to convince players to come to U.K. to play. He later coached for his alma mater as an assistant coach from 1963 to 1966. He then moved toUniversity of Cincinnatias an assistant coach for 2 years before becoming the head football coach from 1969 to 1972, compiling a record of 20–23. His first pro team was in 1973 with theBaltimore Coltsas a linebacker coach under former teammateHoward Schnellenberger.Callahan then took a chance with theWorld Football LeagueFlorida BlazerswithJack Pardee.The Blazers made it to the World Bowl losing to the Birmingham Americans by 1 point but with controversy in the officiating. Coach Callahan then bolted back to the NFL with theChicago Bearsas the offensive line coach in front ofWalter Peytonfor his first 3 years as a player. The Washington Redskins was his next stop for 3 years of offensive line coach again with Jack Pardee at the helm. Callahan then headed south to Texas with theHouston Oilersas the defensive line coach for 2 years.Joe Waltonthen called upon Ray Callahan to lead up the defensive line "sack exchange" consisting ofBarry Bennett,Marty Lyons,Joe Klecko,Mark Gastineau,of theNew York Jetsfor the next 7 years. Callahan retired to Bracey, Va on Lake Gaston and enjoyed lake life with his high school sweetheart wife Essie "Lee" Dorsey. Callahan died on September 2, 2017.[1]
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 28, 1933 Loretto, Kentucky,U.S. |
| Died | September 2, 2017(aged 84) Bracey, Virginia,U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1953–1956 | Kentucky |
| Coaching career (HCunless noted) | |
| 1963–1966 | Kentucky(assistant) |
| 1967–1968 | Cincinnati(assistant) |
| 1969–1972 | Cincinnati |
| 1973 | Baltimore Colts(LB) |
| 1974 | Florida Blazers(assistant) |
| 1975-1977 | Chicago Bears(OL) |
| 1978–1980 | Washington Redskins(OL) |
| 1981–1982 | Houston Oilers(DL) |
| 1983–1989 | New York Jets(DL) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 20–23 |
Head coaching record
edit| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bearcats(Missouri Valley Conference)(1969) | |||||||||
| 1969 | Cincinnati | 4–6 | 2–3 | T–3rd | |||||
| Cincinnati Bearcats(NCAA University Division independent)(1970–1972) | |||||||||
| 1970 | Cincinnati | 7–4 | |||||||
| 1971 | Cincinnati | 7–4 | |||||||
| 1972 | Cincinnati | 2–9 | |||||||
| Cincinnati: | 20–23 | 2–3 | |||||||
| Total: | 20–23 | ||||||||
References
edit- ^"Obituaries | Tribute Archive".August 4, 2023.