Al Saunders
Encyclopedia
Al Saunders is the current offensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders
.
, England
, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States
in 1960, and is one of four foreign-born coaches in the NFL. In college played defensive back
and wide receiver
for the Spartans of San Jose State University (SJSU)
from 1966–1968 where he was a three-year starter, team captain, and an Academic All-American. Saunders also joined Theta Chi Fraternity while at SJSU.
and San Diego State University (SDSU)
, whose SDSU Aztecs
were then under the control of Head Coach
Don Coryell
. Saunders would go with Coryell to NFL when Coryell became the head coach of the San Diego Chargers
.
From 1983–1985, Saunders was the wide receivers coach for the Chargers
. He became the assistant head coach for the 1986 season, and was tapped as the Chargers' head coach when Coryell resigned during the middle of the season. Saunders would eventually hold the head coaching position from 1986-1988.
From 1989–1998, Saunders was with the Kansas City Chiefs
, where he served as the assistant head coach and wide receivers coach under Marty Schottenheimer
.
Saunders would then join the St. Louis Rams
coaching staff. From 1999-2000 he served as the wide receivers Coach under Dick Vermeil
and later as assistant head coach under Mike Martz
. During this period, the Rams won Super Bowl XXXIV
in 2000.
Saunders would rejoin the Kansas City Chiefs in 2001 as the offensive coordinator when Vermeil came out of retirement. In his second stint with the Chiefs, Saunders built the NFL's top offense, which was ranked #1 in the NFL from 2002–2005.
On January 19, 2006, he joined the coaching staff of the Washington Redskins
as the Associate Head Coach - Offense
, reuniting him with fellow Don "Air" Coryell alumnus, Joe Gibbs
. At the time, his 3-year, $6 million contract made him the second highest paid assistant coach in the NFL behind Gregg Williams
. Players such as recent additions Antwaan Randle El
and Brandon Lloyd
have claimed that the signing of Saunders to the Washington coaching staff was a major pull factor in their decision to sign with the Redskins. In this role, he served the team like he did in Kansas City, as the primary play caller and offensive coordinator.
Saunders' offensive playbook
reportedly had approximately 700 pages of various plays. When the Redskins struggled offensively in the 2006 pre-season and during the first two regular season games, the lengthy playbook became the subject of criticism -both humorous and serious- by Washington sports media. However, desiring not to provide scouting information to opponents, the Redskins only used a small number of plays (estimated by Saunders at around 2% of his playbook) during the pre-season. Beginning with the third game of the regular season, Washington's offensive production increased but later fell.
Many believe that the pairing of Al Saunders offense and the veteran quarterback Mark Brunell
was a bad fit. The Al Saunders offense, an Air Coryell offense, requires a quarterback with a very accurate sense of timing and trust with the receiver which could not be replicated in Washington during Brunell's 2006 season.
In 2007, Jason Campbell dislocated his left knee in a week 14 game versus the Chicago Bears. Veteran back-up Todd Collins, who took over the reins and was very effective as he led the Redskins to four straight victories and into the playoffs. Collins' success can be attributed to the fact that he had been studying under Saunders' offensive scheme since 2001.
After Joe Gibbs retired as head coach of the Redskins on January 8, 2008 and Jim Zorn was hired as the new offensive coordinator by Redskins' owner Dan Snyder on January 25, Saunders was fired by Snyder on January 26.
On January 30, 2008, Saunders was hired as offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams
. After Steve Spagnuolo was hired as head coach in January 2009, Saunders was informed he would not be retained for the upcoming season.
In 2009 Saunders was hired as an offensive consultant with the Baltimore Ravens
.
On January 20, 2011, Saunders was hired as the Offensive Coordinator for the Oakland Raiders
. Saunders will not be the primary play caller, as new Head Coach Hue Jackson will call all offensive plays. Saunders, however, will also be serving as Quarterbacks Coach with the Raiders. He will also be reunited with QB Jason Campbell, whom Saunders coached while an assistant in Washington.
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Early life and playing career
Born in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1960, and is one of four foreign-born coaches in the NFL. In college played defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
and wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
for the Spartans of San Jose State University (SJSU)
San José State University
San Jose State University is a public university located in San Jose, California, United States...
from 1966–1968 where he was a three-year starter, team captain, and an Academic All-American. Saunders also joined Theta Chi Fraternity while at SJSU.
Coaching career
In the 1970s, Al Saunders joined the coaching staff at USCUniversity of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
and San Diego State University (SDSU)
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
, whose SDSU Aztecs
SDSU Aztecs
The San Diego State Aztecs are the collegiate athletics and sports teams for San Diego State University .San Diego State has organized programs for baseball, basketball, football, soccer, golf, gymnastics, rowing , softball, tennis, track, swimming, diving, women's volleyball, and water polo.The...
were then under the control of Head Coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Don Coryell
Don Coryell
Donald David Coryell was an American football coach, who coached in the NFL first with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1973–1977 and then the San Diego Chargers from 1978-1986. He was well known for his innovations to football's passing offense. Coryell's offense was commonly known as "Air Coryell"...
. Saunders would go with Coryell to NFL when Coryell became the head coach of the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
From 1983–1985, Saunders was the wide receivers coach for the Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He became the assistant head coach for the 1986 season, and was tapped as the Chargers' head coach when Coryell resigned during the middle of the season. Saunders would eventually hold the head coaching position from 1986-1988.
From 1989–1998, Saunders was with the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
, where he served as the assistant head coach and wide receivers coach under Marty Schottenheimer
Marty Schottenheimer
Martin Edward "Marty" Schottenheimer is the current head coach of the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. Over his career, he has served as head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, and San Diego Chargers. He has the most wins of any NFL coach...
.
Saunders would then join the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
coaching staff. From 1999-2000 he served as the wide receivers Coach under Dick Vermeil
Dick Vermeil
Richard Albert "Dick" Vermeil is a former American head coach for the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles , St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs...
and later as assistant head coach under Mike Martz
Mike Martz
Michael Martz is a former NFL head coach and currently the offensive coordinator for the National Football League's Chicago Bears....
. During this period, the Rams won Super Bowl XXXIV
Super Bowl XXXIV
Super Bowl XXXIV featured the National Football Conference champion St. Louis Rams and the American Football Conference champion Tennessee Titans in an American football game to decide the National Football League champion for the 1999 regular season...
in 2000.
Saunders would rejoin the Kansas City Chiefs in 2001 as the offensive coordinator when Vermeil came out of retirement. In his second stint with the Chiefs, Saunders built the NFL's top offense, which was ranked #1 in the NFL from 2002–2005.
On January 19, 2006, he joined the coaching staff of the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
as the Associate Head Coach - Offense
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
, reuniting him with fellow Don "Air" Coryell alumnus, Joe Gibbs
Joe Gibbs
Joe Jackson Gibbs is a former American football coach, NASCAR Championship team owner, and two time NHRA Pro Stock team owner. He was the 20th and 26th head coach in the history of the Washington Redskins...
. At the time, his 3-year, $6 million contract made him the second highest paid assistant coach in the NFL behind Gregg Williams
Gregg Williams
Gregg Williams is the defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints and the former head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Considered one of the most respected defensive minds in the game, Williams is known for running aggressive, attacking 4-3 schemes that put heavy pressure on opposing...
. Players such as recent additions Antwaan Randle El
Antwaan Randle El
Antwaan Randle El is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He attended Indiana University, after turning down a Major League Baseball draft selection by the Chicago Cubs in 1997...
and Brandon Lloyd
Brandon Lloyd
Brandon Matthew Lloyd is an American football wide receiver for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
have claimed that the signing of Saunders to the Washington coaching staff was a major pull factor in their decision to sign with the Redskins. In this role, he served the team like he did in Kansas City, as the primary play caller and offensive coordinator.
Saunders' offensive playbook
Playbook
Playbook may refer to:*A book that contains a script or story for a theatrical play. This written version of the composition is used in preparing for a performance**Fleury Playbook, a medieval playbook kept in a French abbey until the French Revolution...
reportedly had approximately 700 pages of various plays. When the Redskins struggled offensively in the 2006 pre-season and during the first two regular season games, the lengthy playbook became the subject of criticism -both humorous and serious- by Washington sports media. However, desiring not to provide scouting information to opponents, the Redskins only used a small number of plays (estimated by Saunders at around 2% of his playbook) during the pre-season. Beginning with the third game of the regular season, Washington's offensive production increased but later fell.
Many believe that the pairing of Al Saunders offense and the veteran quarterback Mark Brunell
Mark Brunell
Mark Allen Brunell is an American football quarterback who currently plays for the New York Jets. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Washington....
was a bad fit. The Al Saunders offense, an Air Coryell offense, requires a quarterback with a very accurate sense of timing and trust with the receiver which could not be replicated in Washington during Brunell's 2006 season.
In 2007, Jason Campbell dislocated his left knee in a week 14 game versus the Chicago Bears. Veteran back-up Todd Collins, who took over the reins and was very effective as he led the Redskins to four straight victories and into the playoffs. Collins' success can be attributed to the fact that he had been studying under Saunders' offensive scheme since 2001.
After Joe Gibbs retired as head coach of the Redskins on January 8, 2008 and Jim Zorn was hired as the new offensive coordinator by Redskins' owner Dan Snyder on January 25, Saunders was fired by Snyder on January 26.
On January 30, 2008, Saunders was hired as offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
. After Steve Spagnuolo was hired as head coach in January 2009, Saunders was informed he would not be retained for the upcoming season.
In 2009 Saunders was hired as an offensive consultant with the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
.
On January 20, 2011, Saunders was hired as the Offensive Coordinator for the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Saunders will not be the primary play caller, as new Head Coach Hue Jackson will call all offensive plays. Saunders, however, will also be serving as Quarterbacks Coach with the Raiders. He will also be reunited with QB Jason Campbell, whom Saunders coached while an assistant in Washington.