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Al Saunders
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Alan Keith Saunders (born February 1, 1947) is an American football coach.

Key Information

Personal life

[edit]

Saunders was born in the north London suburb of Hendon as part of a sporting family; his great-uncle, Ron Saunders, played soccer for a number of teams in The Football League and later became a manager, winning honours with Norwich City and Aston Villa.

Saunders attended St. Ignatius College Preparatory and graduated in 1964.[1] He is a former prep All-American swimmer, Junior Olympic Champion and national record holder and has been inducted into the San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame in the sport.[2]

Saunders is a member of the San Jose State University Hall of Fame. He earned Academic All-American football honors as a three-year starter and team captain at defensive back and wide receiver from 1966 to 1968.[3] An accomplished distance runner, he was veteran of numerous marathons and was crowned the Road Runners Club of America's Masters 5K National Champion in 1996.

He is a member of Theta Chi fraternity and has been enshrined in their Hall of Honor, he was the inaugural recipient of the alumnus "Shug Jordan Award" for recognition of his collegiate academic and athletic accomplishments as well as receiving their prestigious "George T Kilavos Alumni Award" in 2021 for meritorious service and their "Distinguished Achievement Award" in 2016 for professional and life accomplishments.[4]

Saunders graduated cum laude from San Jose State College in 1969, earned a master's degree in education from Stanford University in 1970 and completed Doctoral studies work in Education at the University of Southern California in 1971 and 1972.

Recognized in The Marquis Publications Board's "Who's Who in the World", "Who's Who in America", "Who's Who in the West", Who's Who in California" and "International Leaders in Achievement", Saunders was awarded California's prestigious "Golden State Award" in 1989 for excellence in community service and leadership. He was selected to appear in the 1969 edition of "Outstanding College Athletes of America" in recognition of his "outstanding ability, accomplishments and service".

Saunders is married to the former Karen Mize, daughter of television personality and recording artist Billy Mize, a three-time winner of Academy of Country Music's Personality of the Year Award ('65–'67). Saunders has three children, distinguished clinical physiologist Dr. Korrin E. Saunders, Emmy award-winning film maker William J Saunders, and NFL coach Robert C. Saunders.

Coaching career

[edit]
Saunders with the Cleveland Browns in 2016

Saunders retired in 2018 after spending 38 years coaching in the NFL. He was considered one of the most accomplished and innovative offensive minds in the game. During his career, he served as head coach of the San Diego Chargers and assistant head coach for three Hall of Fame Coaches – Don Coryell (San Diego Chargers), Dick Vermeil (Kansas City Chiefs) and Joe Gibbs (Washington Redskins) as well as the legendary Marty Schottenhiemer (Kansas City Chiefs). He was a Super Bowl (XXXIV) winner in 2000 with the St. Louis Rams.

In 2005, he was named "USA Today Offensive Coach of the Year", as well as being named by Pro Football Weekly as "The best offensive play caller in football inside the 20 yard line". In 2017, Saunders was cited by ESPN as the "NFL's #1 Offensive Co-Ordinator thru the previous 25 years" and named by Bleacher Report as the "Best Offensive Co-Ordinator in the Kansas City Chiefs Franchise History" in 2011.

Saunders has tutored several NCAA All Americans, numerous NFL All Pro selections and has had an influence on the careers of 15 offensive players currently enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame. He has contributed to offenses that have ranked #1 in the NFL in Total Offense, Passing or Rushing 11 times and finished in the top five 31 times.

Prior to entering the NFL, Saunders spent 12 years as a college assistant coach. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at USC under John McKay from 1970 to 1971 and served as receivers coach for the Missouri's Fiesta Bowl team in 1972.

Saunders spent 1973 through 1975 as play-caller and offensive backfield coach at Utah State, where he coached Louie Giammona to become the NCAA leader in all purpose yardage and rushing in 1974 and 1975. He then spent six seasons as assistant head coach/offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at California, where he tutored All-American quarterbacks Joe Roth and Rich Campbell. He guided the Golden Bears to set 32 NCAA, conference and school records and finished each season ranked in the top ten in the nation in passing. His final collegiate stop was in 1982 as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach under Johnny Majors at Tennessee, where he built an explosive, record-setting offense featuring future NFL first-round wide receiver picks Willie Gault and Clyde Duncan.[5]

Saunders first NFL head coaching position came with the San Diego Chargers as interim head coach following the resignation of Don Coryell after Coryell posted three non winning seasons and a 1–7 start in 1986. At 38 years old, Saunders became the youngest head coach in the NFL. He previously worked for the Chargers as receivers coach in 1983–84 and assistant head coach in 1985–86 for what was one of the most prolific offenses in the history of modern football. In 1985, San Diego's "Air Coryell" offense led the NFL in passing and total offense for an unprecedented fifth time in six years. Saunders tutored Hall of Fame receivers Charlie Joiner and Kellen Winslow and oversaw the development of Pro Bowl receivers Wes Chandler, Lionel James and Gary Anderson.[6]

Saunders' first full season as head coach in 1987 was marked by the NFL players union strike and the "Replacement" games. While leading the "Replacement" players to an undefeated 3–0 record (matched only by Joe Gibbs' eventual Super Bowl Champion Washington Redskins), Saunders guided the team to an overall 8–7 record becoming the Chargers first winning season in 5 years. The following year, with the loss of Dan Fouts, Winslow, Chandler and several other key players the team finished 6–10. After that season, Saunders was replaced by Dan Henning, amidst reports of philosophical differences between him and Director of Football Operations Steve Ortmayer.[7] Henning had records of 6–10, 6-10 and 4-12 the subsequent three years and was fired in 1991.

From 1989 until 1998, Saunders was with the Kansas City Chiefs. He served as the assistant head coach and wide receivers coach working with Pro Bowl performers Carlos Carson, Stephone Paige, Webster Slaughter, Andre Rison and Derrick Alexander. Saunders worked for 10 winning seasons under the highly respected head coach Marty Schottenheimer.[8]

After Schottenheimer's unexpected resignation from the Chiefs, Saunders joined the St. Louis Rams coaching staff under the legendary Dick Vermeil.[9] Serving as associate head coach and receivers coach with the Rams (1999–2000), he helped create one of the most dynamic and explosive offenses that the NFL had ever seen, and helped lead the Rams to a Super Bowl XXXIV victory. Leading the NFL in virtually every significant offensive category, "The Greatest Show on Turf" established numerous NFL records for scoring and offensive production. The emergence of Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, the production of Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk, and Saunders' development of Pro Bowlers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt were all largely cited as the key factor in the Rams' innovative and creative success.

When Vermeil came out of retirement in 2001, Saunders reunited with his old mentor and former team, the Kansas City Chiefs, as the assistant head coach/offensive coordinator until Vermeil's final retirement in 2006. Under Saunders's direction as coordinator, the Chiefs offense was the most productive unit in the entire NFL during that 5-year span. 46 franchise records for offense production were established and no team scored more points (2,175), gained more yards (30,470), or scored more touchdowns (262) during that time. Saunders's offense also broke numerous NFL records including a single season record of 398 first downs, most combined first downs in a game (64), established the highest red-zone touchdown scoring percentage in league history (77.8), longest touchdown pass in league history (99 yds), fewest fumbles in a season (2), tied a 42-year-old mark with 63 rushing touchdowns over two seasons, became the first team in NFL history to have three runners have 150-yard games in a single season, and was the only team ever to score 8 rushing touchdowns in a single game.

Also during that period, Priest Holmes twice broke the NFL single-season rushing touchdown record (27) and was named NFL offensive player of the year (2003). Additionally, Tony Gonzalez set the NFL single-season receiving mark for tight ends (102 in 2004), Trent Green became only the fourth player in league history to finish four consecutive seasons with a QB rating above 90, and 11 different offensive players enjoyed Pro Bowl years — all under Saunders' direction. Saunders was ranked as the #1 Offensive Coordinator in the past 25 years in the NFL by ESPN and in 2005, and was named USA Today's Offensive Coach of the Year.[10]

On January 19, 2006, he joined the coaching staff of the Washington Redskins as associate head coach and offensive coordinator to Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs. With one of the most dominant rushing teams in the league, Saunders led Washington's offense to a playoff berth in 2007. Saunders served under Gibbs until his retirement two years later.[10]

On January 30, 2008, Saunders was hired as offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams.[9] Constructing an offense around the skills of Pro Bowl running back Steven Jackson, the Rams had one of the most dominant rushing attacks in the NFL.

In 2009, Saunders was hired away by the Baltimore Ravens to serve as the senior offensive assistant to John Harbaugh.[11] Saunders contributed to designing an offense that produced back-to-back playoff appearances for the Ravens and worked closely with Pro Bowl performers Todd Heap and Dennis Pitta.

On January 20, 2011, Saunders was hired by Al Davis and Hue Jackson to serve as the offensive coordinator and QB coach for the Oakland Raiders.[12] Under Saunders' direction, Oakland's offense finished with the second highest yardage total in franchise history (6,072) and ranked among the NFL leaders in rushing, passing and total offense.

On January 31, 2012, following Davis' death and Jackson's firing, and after interviewing for several vacant offensive coordinator positions with other organizations, Saunders agreed to return to Oakland as senior offensive assistant under Dennis Allen. He served in that capacity for the following three seasons.[13]

Saunders announced his retirement on April 10, 2015, but returned on October 7 as the Miami Dolphins' senior offensive assistant under interim coach Dan Campbell.[14][15] Saunders worked primarily with the wide receivers. During this time, Jarvis Landry set a franchise record with 110 receptions and became the most productive receiver in NFL history during his first two seasons with a total of 194.

On January 19, 2016, Saunders rejoined Jackson at the Cleveland Browns to be the team's senior offensive assistant. He additionally coached wide receivers, and turned former QB Terrelle Pryor into a 1,000-yard receiver in his first full season at the position. Saunders remained with the Browns until retiring after the 2018 NFL season.

Head coaching record

[edit]
Team Year Regular season Post season
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
SD 1986 3 5 0 .375 5th in AFC West - - –
SD 1987 8 7 0 .533 3rd in AFC West –
SD 1988 6 10 0 .375 4th in AFC West –
Total 17 22 0 .439 0 0 – –

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Al Saunders

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Alan Keith Saunders (born February 1, 1947) is a retired coach renowned for his extensive career in the (NFL), spanning over three decades primarily in offensive roles, including of the and offensive coordinator for teams such as the and . Born in , , Saunders moved to the as a child and grew up in , , where he attended high school. He went on to play at from 1964 to 1968, lettering for the team in his final three seasons. After college, Saunders launched his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the under legendary coach John McKay from 1970 to 1971, followed by assistant positions at several universities, including Montana State and the , accumulating 13 years of college coaching experience before entering the professional ranks. Saunders joined the in 1983 as wide receivers coach for the , rising to assistant head coach in 1986 and serving as interim that year with a 3-5 record. He was promoted to full-time for the 1987 and 1988 seasons, leading the team to a 17-22 overall mark before being fired in December 1988. Over the next three decades, he held prominent assistant positions across multiple franchises, including with the Chiefs from 2001 to 2005—during which the team ranked first in the league in scoring offense and total yards in —and with the in 2008, as well as associate head coach/ for the Washington Redskins from 2006 to 2007. Known for his innovative offensive schemes and mentorship of players like , who won the AP Offensive Player of the Year award in 2002 under his guidance, Saunders contributed to twelve playoff appearances and one championship as an assistant, including as assistant head coach/wide receivers coach for the XXXIV-winning in 2000. He concluded his career as a senior offensive assistant and wide receivers coach with the , retiring after the 2018 season at age 71.

Early life and education

Birth and family background

Al Saunders was born on February 1, 1947, in , a suburb of , . His family relocated to when he was five years old, where they lived for three years before moving to the in search of better opportunities. Saunders became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1960. Saunders' parents instilled a strong sense of discipline and proper values in their children, emphasizing organization and hard work amid frequent moves driven by his father's pursuit of employment. His father held multiple blue-collar jobs before achieving success as a salesman, while his mother managed the home during his early years and later worked as a beautician and avid golfer. The family, which included Saunders and one sister, settled in , where they supported his developing interests in athletics. He attended high school in . During his childhood in , Saunders encountered for the first time and quickly embraced the sport, participating in team activities that fueled his competitive drive. A notable formative incident occurred in when his father discovered him and compelled him to finish an entire pack of cigarettes as a lesson, an experience that reinforced his commitment to self-discipline and has kept him smoke-free ever since. These early family dynamics and exposures laid the groundwork for his enduring passion for sports and structured achievement.

College years and playing career

Saunders attended from 1964 to 1968, participating in the Spartans' football program during his undergraduate years. As a in 1964, he played on the freshman team, but an injury limited his participation in 1965. He rebounded to letter in 1966, 1967, and 1968, serving as a three-year starter at and while also acting as team captain. Saunders distinguished himself academically, earning three-time Academic All-American honors, which highlighted his dedication to both athletics and scholarship and later contributed to his induction into the San Jose State Hall of Fame. Following his playing career, Saunders graduated from San Jose State and pursued advanced studies, earning a master's degree in education from in 1970, laying the groundwork for his transition into coaching.

Coaching career

College coaching positions

Al Saunders began his coaching career as a at the (USC) under John from 1970 to 1971, where he immersed himself in the development of offensive schemes during a period when the Trojans won national championships in 1972, building on the momentum from those seasons. In 1972, Saunders served as wide receivers coach at the , contributing to the Tigers' 7-4 season that culminated in a appearance, though specific player developments under his guidance are not extensively documented in available records. From 1973 to 1975, he advanced to play-caller and offensive backfield coach at , taking on greater responsibilities in designing and executing run-oriented strategies for the Aggies during a transitional period for the program. Saunders then spent six seasons from 1976 to 1981 at the (Cal), as assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach, where he emphasized a potent passing game that ranked in the top ten nationally each year and set 32 NCAA, conference, and school records, highlighting his growing expertise in aerial attacks. His final college role came in 1982 as and quarterbacks coach under at the , where he orchestrated an explosive, record-setting offense that propelled the Volunteers to a 10-1-1 record and a No. 5 national ranking, incorporating innovative play-calling variations to maximize mobility and downfield threats. Over these 13 years in college football, Saunders progressed from foundational assistant duties to coordinator responsibilities, drawing on his playing experience as a quarterback at San Jose State to prioritize offensive innovation.

Entry into the NFL and early roles

Saunders entered the National Football League in 1983, joining the San Diego Chargers as wide receivers coach under head coach Don Coryell. This position immersed him in the Air Coryell offense, a pioneering system characterized by deep passing routes, precise timing, and high-volume aerial attacks that revolutionized professional football. Working closely with quarterback Dan Fouts and receivers like Charlie Joiner and Kellen Winslow, Saunders helped the Chargers lead the NFL in passing yards (4,661) and total offense (6,197 yards) that season, setting the stage for his deeper involvement in the scheme. In 1986, Saunders was promoted to assistant head coach, a role that expanded his influence over the offensive unit while Coryell retained play-calling duties. Under this arrangement, the Chargers again topped the league in passing (4,870 yards) and total offense (6,535 yards), with Fouts throwing for over 3,600 yards and earning honors, crediting the system's emphasis on quarterback protection and route precision for his sustained elite performance. Saunders' contributions to receiver development and offensive planning during these years solidified his reputation as a rising mind in pass-oriented schemes, directly shaped by Coryell's innovative philosophy. Coryell's resignation on October 29, 1986, amid a 1-6 start, elevated Saunders to interim for the final eight games. He guided the team to a 3-5 finish, including narrow losses to strong opponents like the (24-20) and Los Angeles Raiders (27-24), while introducing adjustments such as tighter defensive coordination and simplified offensive calls to address early-season disarray. These changes stabilized the squad, preventing a total collapse and earning Saunders the full-time head coaching position for 1987. As full-time head coach from 1987 to 1988, Saunders led the Chargers to an 8-7 record in his debut season, starting 8-1 with wins over playoff contenders like the before a six-game losing streak dashed postseason hopes. The 1988 campaign ended at 6-10, hampered by injuries and offensive inconsistencies following Fouts' retirement, resulting in Saunders' firing after an overall 17-22 mark over two full seasons. Throughout his early NFL tenure, Coryell's system profoundly influenced Saunders' philosophy, fostering a commitment to explosive passing that prioritized mobility and downfield threats, elements he refined from his prior experience at .

Offensive coordinator and head coaching tenures

Saunders began his prominent mid-career tenure with the in 1989 as wide receivers coach under head coach , later advancing to assistant head coach while retaining the receivers role through 1998. During this period, he contributed to the development of key pass-catchers, helping the Chiefs reach the playoffs in six of those seasons, including an AFC Championship appearance in 1993. In 1999, Saunders joined the as assistant head coach and wide receivers coach, playing a key role in the offense known as the "Greatest Show on Turf" under Dick Vermeil and offensive coordinator . With quarterback at the helm, the Rams' offense shattered records, leading the in scoring with 526 points in 1999—a single-season mark that stood until 2003—and 540 points in 2000, while ranking first in total yards both years (6,412 in 1999 and 7,075 in 2000). The unit's explosive passing attack, featuring receivers like and , propelled the Rams to a 13-3 record and victory in 1999, followed by a 10-6 season and in 2000. Saunders returned to the Chiefs in 2001 as assistant head coach and under Vermeil, orchestrating one of the league's most prolific units over the next five seasons. The Chiefs ranked in the top five in total offensive yards each year from 2001 to 2004, culminating in the No. 1 ranking in 2004 (6,695 yards) and 2005 (6,192 yards), and led the in scoring in 2002 (467 points) and 2003 (484 points). Central to this success was Priest Holmes, who under Saunders' scheme rushed for an NFL-record 27 touchdowns in 2003—earning him Offensive Player of the Year honors—and led the league in rushing yards (1,555) and touchdowns (24) in 2001, while adding another rushing title (1,615 yards) in 2002. These efforts fueled playoff appearances in 2003 (13-3 record, AFC Divisional win) and 2004 (7-9, wild card berth), marking the Chiefs' first postseason victories since 1997. Following Vermeil's retirement, Saunders served as for the Washington Redskins from 2006 to under head coach , focusing on adapting his complex scheme to young quarterback . Campbell, a 2005 second-round pick, started all 16 games in 2006, throwing for 2,179 yards and 12 touchdowns while leading to a 9-7 wild-card berth, though the offense ranked 13th in total yards (5,243) and 20th in points (307). In , Campbell improved to 3,033 passing yards and 15 touchdowns, guiding a 9-7 team to another playoff appearance, with the offense placing 15th in yards (5,334) and 18th in scoring (334 points); Saunders emphasized balanced play-calling to aid Campbell's progression amid a run-heavy approach. Saunders rejoined the in 2008 as under Scott Linehan, aiming to revive the franchise's struggling attack, but the unit faltered, ranking 27th in total yards (4,596) and last in scoring (232 points) en route to a 2-14 record. He was relieved of his duties after the season amid the team's rebuild.

Later assistant roles and retirement

In 2010, Al Saunders served as the senior offensive assistant for the , where he contributed to the team's offensive preparations during a season that saw the acquisition of wide receiver via trade from the in late October. Under head coach , the Ravens finished with a 12-4 record and advanced to the playoffs, defeating the in the wild-card round before falling to the in the divisional playoff. Saunders' role involved supporting offensive coordinator in scheme development and player integration, leveraging his extensive experience to aid the unit's performance. Saunders then joined the in 2011 as and quarterbacks coach under Hue Jackson, marking a return to the franchise where he had begun his NFL career as a in the 1960s. In this position, he worked closely with newly acquired Carson Palmer, who had been traded from the mid-season; Palmer started 10 games, passing for 2,753 yards and helping the Raiders achieve an 8-8 record. Following Jackson's departure, Saunders transitioned to senior offensive assistant from 2012 to 2015 under Dennis Allen and , continuing to provide guidance on offensive strategies during a period of roster transitions and rebuilding efforts. In 2012, Palmer threw for 4,018 yards and 22 touchdowns, contributing to modest improvements in the passing game despite the team's 4-12 finish. In 2016, Saunders reunited with former colleague at the as senior offensive assistant, a role that also included responsibilities with the wide receivers. Over three seasons (2016-2018), he supported the development of young quarterbacks amid multiple changes at the position, including rookies in 2017 and in 2018, who made his debut in Week 3 and led the Browns to a 7-8-1 record in his partial rookie year. Saunders' advisory input focused on offensive fundamentals and player mentoring, drawing on his veteran perspective to assist a transitioning unit. Saunders announced his retirement on January 21, 2019, following the 2018 season, concluding a 49-year coaching career that included 13 years in and 36 years in the , with 32 of those as an assistant or coordinator. At age 71, he reflected on the longevity of his tenure, noting the personal toll of the profession but expressing gratitude for the opportunities to influence the game across decades. His decision to step away came after turning down prior front-office offers, allowing him to end on his terms after a storied run in advisory roles.

Coaching philosophy and legacy

Offensive innovations and style

Al Saunders is renowned for developing expansive offensive playbooks that emphasized complexity and versatility, often exceeding 800 pages to incorporate no-huddle tempos, multiple formations, and personnel groupings. His schemes featured rapid shifts and motions to create mismatches, allowing offenses to dictate pace and exploit defensive alignments without traditional huddles. This approach, which required meticulous preparation, was praised for its adaptability but criticized for the time-intensive it imposed on players and coaches. Saunders adapted the principles—originally a vertical passing attack rooted in Don Coryell's State system—into a balanced scheme that integrated deep throws with run-pass options, evolving it across his NFL tenures. In the era (2001–2005), his offense ranked in the top three in total yards four consecutive seasons, culminating in the league's No. 1 ranking in 2004 with 6,439 yards, blending ' ground game with Trent Green's aerial precision. During his time with the (1999–2000), this adaptation powered the "Greatest Show on Turf," achieving over 30 points per game in both seasons, including a league-high 526 points in 1999 through vertical routes and balanced plays that opened running lanes. A core element of Saunders' style was player empowerment, achieved through detailed route trees that provided wide receivers with precise options and reads that prioritized progression from deep to intermediate threats. from Coryell's numbered route system (1–9, read deep to short), Saunders equipped s like with pre-snap adjustments and sight reads to exploit coverages autonomously. This fostered high-scoring outputs but drew criticism for overwhelming less experienced players, as the playbook's depth sometimes led to execution errors amid long installation periods. Over his career, Saunders' offensive philosophy evolved from pro-style systems in college—where he coordinated balanced attacks at Utah State and , emphasizing quarterback fundamentals and run-pass balance—to hybrid NFL schemes that fused verticality with no-huddle tempo and multi-faceted protections. This progression reflected adaptations to professional talent, prioritizing explosive plays while maintaining conceptual run-pass equilibrium, as seen in his Chiefs offenses averaging over 380 yards per game from 2002–2005.

Impact on players and teams

Al Saunders significantly influenced the development of several star players during his tenure as an offensive coordinator and position coach in the . As wide receivers coach for the from 1983 to 1985 under head coach , Saunders contributed to the "" system that elevated quarterback to elite status, including six selections from 1979 to 1984 and the 1982 MVP award. Saunders praised Fouts for his toughness, noting that "to a man, every single guy on those teams would tell you there wasn’t a tougher quarterback than ," highlighting the quarterback's resilience in a high-risk, pass-heavy scheme. Similarly, during his time as wide receivers coach for the in 1999 and 2000, Saunders helped nurture quarterback Kurt Warner's rapid ascent, supporting the "Greatest Show on Turf" offense that led to Warner's 1999 MVP award and a victory in . Saunders' impact extended to running backs, particularly , whom he mentored as offensive coordinator for the from 2001 to 2005. Under Saunders' schemes, Holmes rushed for 1,555 yards in 2001 to lead the , earned the 2002 NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, and set the single-season touchdown record with 27 scores in 2003, twice breaking the previous mark. These achievements transformed Holmes from a journeyman backup into a Hall of Fame-caliber talent, with Saunders' play-calling emphasizing Holmes' versatility in a dynamic, up-tempo offense. On a team level, Saunders orchestrated offensive turnarounds that propelled franchises to contention. With the Chiefs, his coordination from 2001 to 2005 produced the 's most productive unit during that span, scoring 2,157 points and gaining approximately 30,000 yards while setting 46 team records, including leading in scoring in 2003 and total offense in 2004. This era marked the Chiefs' return to elite status in the early 2000s, fostering a no-huddle approach that influenced broader trends toward faster-paced attacks. For the , Saunders' contributions as receivers coach were integral to the 1999 championship, sustaining the offense's efficiency after an injury to starter allowed Warner to thrive without major schematic changes. Saunders' legacy as an innovative mind is evident in his influence on subsequent coaches and the evolution of offensive strategies, though his head coaching record of 17-22 with the Chargers from 1986 to 1988 has somewhat overshadowed his assistant successes. Many of his protégés, including coordinators like Mike Martz, adopted elements of his Coryell-inspired systems, contributing to modern no-huddle emphases seen in high-scoring teams. In a 2022 reflecting on 50 years of , Saunders was recognized for his in developing Hall of Famers and award-winning offenses, earning accolades such as ESPN's No. 1 ranking in 2005 and Offensive Coach of the Year. His adaptability as an assistant underscores a profound, if underappreciated, adaptability that shaped player careers and team trajectories across decades.

Head coaching record

YearTeamLeagueRegular seasonPostseasonRef.
19863–5–0—
19878–7–0—
19886–10–0—
Total17–22–0—

References

  1. https://www.profootballarchives.com/coaches/saun00050.html
  2. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/SaunAl0.htm
  3. https://coachandcoordinator.com/podcast/the-mushroom-society-with-bob-wylie-learning-from-50-years-of-coaching-featuring-al-saunders/
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  9. https://www.dailypress.com/2006/09/03/saunders-intent-on-igniting-skins-offense/
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  43. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/20746026/nfl-best-offensive-defensive-special-teams-coordinators-25-years
  44. https://www.sbnation.com/2014/7/17/5900675/don-coryell-offense-nfl-chargers-dan-fouts-passing-league
  45. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/22/sports/football/22redskins.html
  46. https://www.pilotonline.com/2006/09/07/nfl-preview-al-saunders-on-the-attack-for-redskins/
  47. https://www.chiefs.com/news/remembering-dick-vermeil-s-record-breaking-offense
  48. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5006028/2023/11/03/chargers-dan-fouts-don-coryell/
  49. https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/revisiting-the-greatest-show-on-turf/
  50. https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article340686.html
  51. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2712204-nfl-nostaligia-ranking-the-best-coaches-in-nfl-history
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