Former Chargers assistant coach Wayne Nunnely dies at 68

Wayne Nunnely, whose 36-year coaching career included more than a decade as an assistant for the San Diego Chargers, has died, according to the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

Nunnely, a UNLV alumnus who served as the school’s head coach in the 1980s, was 68. No cause of death was announced.

Nunnely served as defensive line coach for the Chargers from 1997-2008 before he concluded his career from 2009-11 with the Denver Broncos. Among those he coached in San Diego were Jamal Williams and Luis Castillo.

He grew up in Monrovia and played college football at Citrus College and UNLV (1972). After coaching at Valley High in Las Vegas, UNLV, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Fullerton and Pacific, he returned to his alma mater as an assistant in 1982. Four years later after Harvey Hyde was dismissed, Nunnely was named head coach.

He was 19-25 in four seasons with the Rebels; in his second season, Rebels running back Ickey Woods won the NCAA rushing title. Nunnely later worked as as assistant at USC and UCLA before joining the New Orleans Saints in 1995. He moved to the Chargers two years later.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of former head coach Wayne Nunnely,” said UNLV Director of Athletics Desiree Reed-Francois in a statement. “He was a role model as our only football alumnus to later become head coach and was truly blessed to have touched so many lives while teaching the sport he loved for nearly four decades.”

Nunnely is survived by his wife, Velda, three sons (Steven, Channing and Aaron) and one daughter (Amber), according to UNLV.

“It has been an absolute dream come true for me to coach for 36 years,” Nunnely said at the time of his retirement and before making regular visits to UNLV from his San Diego home. “I am so thankful for all the opportunities I have been given to have a positive impact on others through the game of football.”