FAYETTEVILLE — Charlie Coffey, who helped Arkansas go 40-12-1 in five seasons as the Razorbacks' defensive coordinator from 1966-70, died Wednesday at his home in Shelbyville, Tenn., after a long battle with cancer. He was 81.
Coffey left Arkansas to become Viriginia 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 201o.
Coffey is survived by his wife, Mai, and four children, 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild.