Ernie Zampese
Ernie Zampese (March 12, 1936 – August 29, 2022) was an American professional football coach in the National Football League (NFL). Playing for Santa Barbara High School, he was selected as the CIF Player of the Year in 1953 and went on to play at the halfback position for the USC Trojans in 1955 and 1956. Between 1962 and 1975, he was a college football coach at Allan Hancock Junior College (1962–1965), Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (1966), and San Diego State University (1967–1975).
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 12, 1936 Santa Barbara, California, U.S. |
| Died | August 29, 2022 (aged 86) |
| Playing career | |
| 1955–1956 | USC |
| Position(s) | Halfback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1962–1963 | Allan Hancock (backfield) |
| 1964–1965 | Allan Hancock |
| 1966 | Cal Poly (backfield) |
| 1967–1975 | San Diego State Aztecs (DB) |
| 1976 | San Diego Chargers (DB) |
| 1977–1978 | New York Jets (scout) |
| 1979–1982 | San Diego Chargers (receivers) |
| 1983–1985 | San Diego Chargers (AHC) |
| 1986 | San Diego Chargers (OC) |
| 1987–1993 | Los Angeles Rams (OC) |
| 1994–1997 | Dallas Cowboys (OC) |
| 1998–1999 | New England Patriots (OC) |
| 2000–2001 | Dallas Cowboys (off. consultant) |
| 2002 | St. Louis Rams (off. consultant) |
| 2004 | Washington Redskins (off. consultant) |
Between 1976 and 1999, Zampese served as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator for various National Football League teams. He gained his greatest acclaim as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers under head coach Don Coryell. He was the father of NFL coach Ken Zampese.