Coach Al Charlson passes away

[yoteforever]

For those with memories, the big guy that patrolled the USD sidelines as defensive line coach of the championship team of '78 passed away late last night from heart failure. Al Charlson was a big man with a big heart. For him to lose a battle of heart failure tells me it was a big failure because no one I ever knew had a bigger heart than Coach.

For those that don't know him he came to Vermillion with Beanie Cooper in 1975. His most noted team was the '78 Championship team which featured Dave Scwabb as a defensive tackle. Al developed Dave and many others during his tenure. Al's sister is Anita Charlson who married Pat Cooper, son of head coach Beanie Cooper. His passing is the first of this group of talented coaches.

I for one will miss Big Al. He was a friend after college was over and he never forgot a story. Right now God is smiling because He brought home one of the great ones.

For our Jack friends on this board, I believe his brother Donnie played for you in the 70's as well. Great family.

RIP Coach.

[jackjd]

I remember that guy. Sorry to read the news. And, yes, Don Charlson played for the Jacks...best guess was the four seasons starting about 1974. Nice family.

[Deleted]

Jun 2, 2012 7:16:24 GMT -6 yoteforever said:

For those with memories, the big guy that patrolled the USD sidelines as defensive line coach of the championship team of '78 passed away late last night from heart failure. Al Charlson was a big man with a big heart. For him to lose a battle of heart failure tells me it was a big failure because no one I ever knew had a bigger heart than Coach.

For those that don't know him he came to Vermillion with Beanie Cooper in 1975. His most noted team was the '78 Championship team which featured Dave Scwabb as a defensive tackle. Al developed Dave and many others during his tenure. Al's sister is Anita Charlson who married Pat Cooper, son of head coach Beanie Cooper. His passing is the first of this group of talented coaches.

I for one will miss Big Al. He was a friend after college was over and he never forgot a story. Right now God is smiling because He brought home one of the great ones.

For our Jack friends on this board, I believe his brother Donnie played for you in the 70's as well. Great family.

RIP Coach.

Donny not only played but was an assistant coach under Wayne Haensel. I remember seeing a big guy with Donny after he left SDSU, I believe it was a SDSU-Morningside bb game in Sioux City. I suppose that was his brother Al. My condolences to family, friends and former players of Al Charlson.