Overview
Darryl Drake (December 11, 1956 – August 11, 2019) was an American football player and coach whose professional life spanned roughly four decades. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he played college football as a wide receiver and went on to a playing career that included stops in the National Football League (NFL) and the Canadian Football League (CFL). After his playing days he became best known as a dedicated wide receivers coach at both the collegiate and professional levels, serving with several NFL franchises.
Playing career
Drake played college football at Western Kentucky University as a wide receiver from 1975 to 1978. After graduating, he pursued a professional playing career. He had a stint with the Washington Redskins in 1979, appeared with the Ottawa Rough Riders of the CFL in 1981, and later was associated with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1983. His time as a player was marked by the transition that many athletes make from competing to coaching, using on-field experience to inform teaching and mentoring roles later in life.
Coaching career and style
Following his playing career, Drake moved into coaching and developed a reputation for technical instruction, attention to route-running, catching technique, and the fundamentals of blocking and footwork for receivers. Over the years he worked at the collegiate level and in the NFL. In the professional ranks he served as a wide receivers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Chicago Bears. His roles typically focused on developing young players, improving veteran technique, and helping integrate wide receivers into game plans crafted by offensive coordinators and head coaches.
Contributions and approach
Coaches and players remember Drake for a hands-on approach: he emphasized film study, fundamentals, and situational awareness. While not generally a head coach, his long tenure in position-coaching roles reflected an ability to adapt to changing offensive systems and to connect with players from diverse backgrounds. He was known as a mentor who combined practical drills with encouragement, helping receivers to improve consistency and reliability in games.
Legacy and death
Drake's coaching and playing career left an imprint on the teams and athletes he worked with over many seasons. He was part of the professional football community for decades, contributing to player development across college and pro ranks. On August 11, 2019, Darryl Drake was found dead at his home in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, at the age of 62. His passing was widely noted in sports media and by colleagues and former players who remembered him for his professionalism and mentorship.
Further information
- Basic profile and career overview: Darryl Drake profile
- Biographical details and early life: Birthplace and education
- Coaching tenure with the Chicago Bears: Chicago Bears coaching page
- Coaching tenure with the Arizona Cardinals: Arizona Cardinals coaching page
- Coaching tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers: Pittsburgh Steelers coaching page
- Context on the NFL: About the NFL
- Playing position explanation (wide receiver): Wide receiver position
- College playing career at Western Kentucky: Western Kentucky football
- Playing history with the Cincinnati Bengals: Cincinnati Bengals history
- Information about his passing in Latrobe, Pennsylvania: News report
Drake's career is an example of how a professional athlete can transition into a long-term coaching role, influencing many players even without frequent public attention. Coaches like him shape team units and individual careers behind the scenes through repetition, instruction, and mentorship, and their impact is often reflected over years rather than in a single headline.