 Strock,c. 1971 | |||||||||
| No. 10, 12 | |||||||||
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| Position: | Quarterback | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | (1950-11-27)November 27, 1950 (age 74) Pottstown, Pennsylvania, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 220 lb (100 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Owen J. Roberts (Bucktown, Pennsylvania) | ||||||||
| College: | Virginia Tech (1969–1972) | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1973: 5th round, 111th pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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As a coach: | |||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Head coaching record | |||||||||
| Regular season: | AFL: 13–11 (.542) | ||||||||
| Postseason: | AFL: 1–2 (.333) | ||||||||
| Career: |
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Donald Joseph Strock (born November 27, 1950) is an American former professionalfootball player and coach. He played as aquarterback in theNational Football League (NFL) with theMiami Dolphins (1973–1987),Cleveland Browns (1988), andIndianapolis Colts (1989).
Strock playedcollege football for theVirginia Tech Hokies and was selected by the Dolphins in the fifth round of the1973 NFL draft. After his playing career, he became a coach, serving as the head coach atFlorida International University from 2002 to 2006, compiling a record of 15–41.
Strock attendedVirginia Tech. In his senior season in1972, he led the nation in total passing and total offense, yet finished only ninth in voting for theHeisman Trophy. He was voted third-team All-America.[1] The college game was then dominated by running backs; the 1972 Heisman went to wingbackJohnny Rodgers ofNebraska.[2]
To date, Strock still holds many collegiate football passing records at hisalma mater[3] and was inducted into theVirginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.
Strock played in theNFL as aquarterback. A 5th round selection (111th overall pick) of the1973 NFL draft, he spent the majority of his professional career with theMiami Dolphins (1973–1987),[4] and was mostly known for his role as a back-up to Hall-of FamersBob Griese in his first years with the team andDan Marino as he finished his career with the club. He also played one season with theCleveland Browns (1988) and part of a season on the roster of theIndianapolis Colts (1989) before retiring as a player.
Strock was a member of the "taxi squad" during the 1973 season when the Dolphins won their second straightSuper Bowl following the undefeated1972–73 season. He was also a member of the Dolphin teams who played and lost in the1982 and1984 Super Bowls.
Strock is remembered for coming off the bench on January 2, 1982, for theMiami Dolphins in anAFC Divisional Playoff Game against theSan Diego Chargers at theMiami Orange Bowl. Strock led Miami from a 24–0 deficit to tie the score in the 3rd quarter. Ultimately, Miami lost the game to San Diego, 41–38, in overtime. The game is also remembered for the image of San Diegotight endKellen Winslow being helped off the field by his teammates after the game while suffering from exhaustion. Strock finished the game with 29 of 43 completions for 403 yards and four touchdowns, with one interception. The game later became known asThe Epic in Miami and has entered NFL lore as one of the greatest games ever in NFL history.
On September 13, 1987, Dolphins punterReggie Roby was injured and Strock was called upon to punt. Strock also was called into duty to quarterback in the game with 2:22 remaining, nearly leading a comeback drive.
Strock began his coaching career as the head coach of theMiami Hooters of theArena Football League for one season in 1993. The following season, he moved on to be the head coach of theMassachusetts Marauders and again only stayed for one season. He then moved on to be an assistant coach of theRhein Fire in theWorld League during 1995 season. Between 1996 and 1998 seasons, he was the quarterbacks coach of theBaltimore Ravens in the NFL.
On September 13, 2000, Strock was named the first head football coach in FIU's history. He was named to the position just shy of two years before the university's inaugural football game. Prior to being named head coach he was the director of football operations, a job he had obtained the year before. His overall record through the 2006 football season was 15–41.
On November 15, 2006, Strock resigned as head coach of the FIU Golden Panthers. Of his 15 career victories, none came during the 2006 campaign and only three of them came againstNCAA Division I-A opponents. His resignation came after an 0–9 start and amuch-publicized brawl against the university ofMiami Hurricanes caused 16 players from FIU to be suspended.[5] His resignation became effective following FIU's last game againstTroy University on December 2, 2006.
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIU Golden Panthers(NCAA Division I-AA independent)(2002–2004) | |||||||||
| 2002 | FIU | 5–6 | |||||||
| 2003 | FIU | 2–10 | |||||||
| 2004 | FIU | 3–7 | |||||||
| FIU Golden Panthers(Sun Belt Conference)(2005–2006) | |||||||||
| 2005 | FIU | 5–6 | 3–4 | T–2nd | |||||
| 2006 | FIU | 0–12 | 0–7 | 5th | |||||
| FIU: | 15–41 | 3–11 | |||||||
| Total: | 15–41 | ||||||||
