Ray Dorr, football coach, 59

["Deathwatch Central" <cdw@slick.org>]

Thursday March 1 7:10 PM ET

Aggie Assistant Coach Dorr Dies 

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - Former Texas A&M assistant football coach
Ray Dorr, who retired in 1999 to battle amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,
commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease (news - web sites), died Thursday
at his College Station home. He was 59.

Dorr spent 33 years coaching at the collegiate level at Kentucky, Southern
California, Washington, Kent State, Southern Illinois and Akron before
arriving at A&M. He tutored NFL quarterbacks Warren Moon, Tom Flick, Steve
Pelluer, Chris Chandler, Hugh Millen, Rodney Peete, Todd Marinovich and
Rob Johnson.

Dorr, whose last job was quarterbacks coach of the Aggies, retired from
on-field coaching after the 1999 season but he kept up his coaching duties
for as long as possible after the effects of the disease became
noticeable.

``Coach Dorr always had us prepared, not only for football, but for
life,'' A&M quarterback Mark Farris said. ``He was an outstanding teacher
and a true friend. He was always so easy to talk to about anything.

``He truly loved his players. I know all of the quarterbacks and players
who have been around Coach Dorr wanted him to know how much we loved him
as well.''

The disease was diagnosed in the spring of 1999 but Dorr stayed on as
quarterbacks coach for the following season.

``He didn't miss one meeting and still kept putting in the 14-hour days,''
A&M coach R.C. Slocum said. ``Ray was teaching everyone how to approach a
terrible disease, in a positive manner.''

Dorr started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Akron in
1967. He was promoted to an assistant coach in 1968 and spent two years at
Akron before moving to Kent State (1971-74).

Dorr's longest tenure followed at Washington under coach Don James from
1975 to 1983. He was head coach at Southern Illinois from 1984-87 and an
assistant at USC (1988-92) and Kentucky (1993-96) before arriving at A&M.

``Words alone cannot express the great admiration I have for Ray Dorr,''
Slocum said. ``In collegiate athletics we talk to our players about
overcoming adversity and handling the tough times.

``Ray Dorr was a testimony to great courage and he was a pillar of
strength. He touched so many lives. You could not meet Ray Dorr without
coming away blessed. He will truly be missed.''

Dorr is survived by his wife, Karen; two sons, Stephen and David; and a
sister, Lynn Clayton, of Sebring, Ohio.

Funeral services were set for Saturday afternoon at St. Thomas Aquinas
Catholic Church in College Station. 



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