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SPORTS
Cabell County's Larry Coyer in Super Bowl
Indianapolis defensive coordinator Larry Coyer, left, a Cabell County native, gives instructions to Colts' linebacker Clint Sessions (55) and defensive back T.J. Rushing (20) during a play walkthrough during preseason camp.
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HUNTINGTON -- Larry Coyer excelled on the football field first at Barboursville High School in the late 1950s and then at Marshall University from 1961 to 1964 where the defensive back led the team in interceptions his final three seasons.
Coyer launched his coaching career with the Marshall Thundering Herd in 1965. Since that time, Coyer has paced sidelines or squirmed in press box seats across the country in the collegiate, high school and professional levels.
He's currently an NFL employee as the Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator, and his first season has been quite a ride. The Colts won the AFC South title, secured home field for the playoffs and knocked off the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets to win the AFC championship.
On Sunday, the Colts play the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLVI at Sun Life Field in Miami.
Teams who punch a ticket to the Super Bowl endure two weeks of distractions with a capital D. Ticket requests, travel plans, practice schedules and a giant media contingent to deal with during Super Bowl Week.
As Coyer puts it, though, being on pro football's biggest stage won't be overwhelming.
"It's not been too bad. I try to stay away and pass things to coach Caldwell (head coach Jim Caldwell)," Coyer said in a telephone interview from Colts headquarters in Indianapolis. "There's been a whole bunch of things that touch your heart. I've gotten e-mails, calls, letters. That means a lot to me. People are thinking of me and want to give me a holler. The guys I played with, that bond never goes away."
Coyer, 66, left Marshall after the 1967 season. That's the year the Super Bowl began. While some coaches entertain dreams of making it to that plateau, Coyer said what he's done to date is special, but no greater than what his high school and college classmates have accomplished.
"Huntington is my home," he said. "My family lives there. It' a pretty special place. When I get finished with this, it's where I'll live. It was a great experience. There's a bunch of guys in Huntington and Barboursville who achieved a lot. ... doctors, lawyers, construction. I just happen to be in football. It's a blessing. I've never felt any other way.
"I'm a proud Marshall guy."
Barbara Knight, Coyer's first cousin, lives in the Greenbottom section of Cabell County where Coyer was raised. Knight said he excels at being low key.
"Everybody thinks it's wonderful someone from a small town like this has made himself known to as many people as he has," she said. "He's humble about it all. He's never forgotten his roots."
Coyer said he keeps up with Marshall football. He's well aware of the amazing 20-year run (1984-2004) when the Thundering Herd won Southern Conference and NCAA Division I-AA national championships, Mid-American Conference titles, bowl games and had three Heisman Trophy contenders. Marshall moved to Conference USA in 2005 and has gone through hard times. In five years under coach Mark Snyder, the Herd had four losing seasons. Marshall finally finished above .500 at 7-6 in 2009 with a Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl win over Ohio University. Snyder resigned and John "Doc" Holiday is now in charge.
"The past few seasons were tough. Whoever's coach, you want them to do well," Coyer said. "I wish Mark the best. It's coach Holiday's time now. I'm in his corner and I hope the fans get behind him and the Herd, too."
Being a former Herd player, Coyer is also well aware of the Marshall plane crash on Nov. 14, 1970. At that time, Coyer was 28 and the defensive coordinator at Massillon (Ohio) High School. Earlier that day, Massillon knocked off rival Canton McKinley. That night Coyer and his wife, Jan, joined relatives at a hotel party.
The Coyers didn't stay in a festive mood for long. He learned of the crash and knew coaches he'd worked with and some players he'd recruited were among the 75 people who died when the chartered jet bringing the traveling party back from a loss at East Carolina crashed short of the runway at Tri-State Airport in Kenova. A documentary ("Ashes to Glory") and movie ("We Are Marshall") were made to tell the story about the crash and recovery by the football team, school and Huntington.
"That's hard for me. My brother was on the fire department that answered the call," said Coyer, who's in the Marshall Athletic Hall of Fame. "Unbelievable. All the people on that plane, I loved them. It really hurt. I get emotional those few days. I saw the news flash come over the TV. We went home. My heart sunk. It was not good.
"I haven't watched either one (movie or documentary)."
Knight said it would be nice if Greenbottom residents could organize a party for Coyer if the Colts win. The catch now, though, is rushing home after evening church services to watch the game.
"For something like this we'll hustle home," she said. "If we can do one, absolutely. It would be a great honor."
