FAYETTEVILLE — Charlie Coffey, who helped Arkansas go 40-12-1 in five seasons as the Razorbacks' defensive coordinator from 1966-70, died Tuesday at his home in Shelbyville, Tenn., after a long battle with cancer. He was 81.
The Razorbacks had one of college football's best defenses under Coffey, recording at least one shutout in four of his five seasons as coordinator, and nine shutouts overall.
In 1966, Coffey's defense shut-out four teams and averaged 7.3 points per game allowed. Three years later he was on the sideline for the Razorbacks' No. 1 vs. No. 2 game against Texas that became known as "The Big Shootout."
Coffey left Arkansas to become Virginia Tech's head coach. He had a 12-20-1 record with the Hokies from 1971-73, then went into the trucking business.
Coffey lettered three years as a lineman at Tennessee and later was an assistant coach for the Volunteers. He was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.
Coffey is survived by his wife, Mai, and four children, 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild.