Galen Hall

Galen Samuel Hall (born August 14, 1940) is a retired American college and professional football coach and player. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and an alumnus of Penn State University, where he played college football. Hall was previously the offensive coordinator at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Florida, and the head coach of the University of Florida, the Orlando Thunder, the Rhein Fire, and the XFL's Orlando Rage. He most recently served as the offensive coordinator at his alma mater, Penn State.

Hall was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, in 1940, and grew up in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania. He was raised by his grandparents, following the death of his father several months before he was born.

He attended Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania, where he was the starting quarterback for coach Rip Engle's Nittany Lions in 1960 and 1961. He led the Nittany Lions to a combined 15–6 record and victories in the 1960 Liberty Bowl and 1961 Gator Bowl. He was named the outstanding player in the sole playing of the U.S. Bowl, a college all-star game played in Washington, DC in 1962.

Hall signed as a backup quarterback with the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL) in 1962 and appeared in three games. He signed with the New York Jets of the American Football League (AFL) in 1963 and appeared in 13 games, including his only two career starts at the end of the campaign as Coach Weeb Ewbank attempted to jumpstart the slumping squad. Hall's first professional start came on December 14 against the Buffalo Bills, and he quickly threw a 73-yard touchdown pass to Don Maynard for what turned out to be the last touchdown pass in the history of the Polo Grounds. It would also be the last touchdown pass of Hall's short pro career, as he threw five interceptions over his two starts and the Jets lost both games. After the season, Hall decided to return to the college game as an assistant coach.

After retiring as a player, Hall was hired as an offensive assistant for the West Virginia Mountaineers, where he coached wide receivers and tight ends during the 1964 and 1965 seasons.

In 1966, Hall joined the staff as a receivers coach under head coach Jim Mackenzie at Oklahoma. Hall was an assistant with the program for the next 17 years under three head coaches – Mackenzie, Chuck Fairbanks, and Barry Switzer. Switzer had been the Sooners' offensive coordinator before taking the head job for the 1973 season, and he promoted Hall to fill his old position.

Hall remained Oklahoma's offensive coordinator for a decade, during which time they boasted one of the most prolific offenses in college football. Using a run-heavy wishbone offense, the Sooners won two straight national championships (1974 and 1975), eight straight Big 8 championships, and produced Heisman Trophy-winning]] running back Billy Sims under Hall and Switzer.

After a disappointing season in 1983, Oklahoma retained head coach Barry Switzer while replacing most of his staff, including Hall.