Tag Archives: Orlando Thunder

Hall, Galen

1991 Pro Set World League Insert, #7

CARD: Pro Set 1991 World League Insert
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 5/31 RECEIVED: 6/10 (10 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played college football at Penn State from 1959-1961 where he was starting QB for the Nittany Lions.
  • Completed 48.2% of his passes for 1619 yards, 15 TDs, and 11 interceptions, while rushing for 318 yards and 3 TDs on 104 carries.
  • Played briefly in the NFL for the Redskins in 1962, and the Jets in ’63.
  • Jumped into coaching working in the college ranks as a positional coach for West Virginia (TE 64-65) and Oklahoma (WR/OC 66-83).
  • Started out as OC at Florida in ’84, but quickly took the reins as HC, coaching there through ’89.
  • Posted a 40-18-1 record over career with Gators.
  • After a year off, returned to coaching as OC of the WLAF Orlando Thunder in ’91.
  • Recommended and quickly reunited with his former college QB Kerwin Bell.
  • Orlando became well known for its explosive Spread offensive formations.
  • Became head coach of the Thunder in ’92, leading the franchise to World Bowl II, claiming an 8-2 record.
  • After a year’s stint with the AFL Charlotte Rage in ’94, returned to the rebooted World League in 1995, coaching with the Rhein Fire.
  • Coached through 2000, compiling a 34-26 record, winning two World Bowl Championships (1998, 2000).
  • Came back stateside in 2001, as head coach of the XFL Orlando Rage posting an 8-2 record.
  • Coached RBs with the Dallas Cowboys in 2002.
  • Returned home to Penn State in 2004 as OC and RB coach, working with the Nittany Lions through 2011.

ACCOLADES:

  • SEC Coach of the Year (1984)
  • NFL Europe Coach of the Year (1998, 00,
  • XFL Coach of the Year (2001)
  • Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame

NOTES:

Galen didn’t have any cards of himself made. I considered making one, but at the time I was artistically uninspired, so after arming up with a few World League helmet cards, I decided to fire one off to him. Now, my big thing recently is getting coaches to draw me up a play. I also peppered him with questions about the spread offense and his time in the World League. Although he didn’t give me any insight into his time in the WLAF/ NFLE, he did author two plays for me. They are run plays, but I’m very happy nonetheless he took the time to put these together.

Vick, Roger (2)

CARDS: Wild Card World League 1992, Pro Set 1991 WLAF Inserts
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 6/6 RECEIVED: 6/22 (16 days)
FAILURE: TTM 2011, 2020, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

One of my latest retry replies came through after I saw a few successes pop up in some of the Facebook groups I frequent. I shot these cards out immediately and he graciously signed after a nail biting 16 days where I saw a couple of others get theirs back first! I’m also not really sure what he inscribed outside of Thunder and #49, but I’m happy to cross Roger off the list.

Corso, Lee

CARD: Pro Set 1991 World League Helmet Insert
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home
SENT: 11/12 RECEIVED: 11/22 (10 days)
FAILURE: TTM 2021, C/o ESPN

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Lee Corso was a great athlete and after high school was immediately identified by the Brookyn Dodgers as a baseball prospect to play short stop.
  • Opted to go to college instead at Florida State, where he played both defensive back and quarterback in college from 1953-1957.
  • Possessing great speed and anticipation, Corso set the school’s career interception record at the time with 14.
  • Although he had a successful college career, he was not selected in the NFL draft.
  • Went into coaching at the college ranks almost immediately, spending time at Maryland (1959-65) and Navy (1966-68) as a positional coach.
  • From there in 1969 Corso served as head coach of Louisville through 1972.
  • He’s perhaps most iconically known as head coach of Indiana, a role he served in from 1973-82.
  • Led the Hoosiers to two winning seasons, including an upset victory over the Brigham Young Cougars in the Holiday Bowl.
  • Finished 41-68-2 at Indiana.
  • Spent one year at Northern Illinois University going 4-6-1.
  • College coaching record is 73-85-6.
  • Head coach of the USFL Orlando Renegades in 1985, where he went 5-13.
  • Lee then joined the WLAF where he served as general manager of the Orlando Thunder for the 1991 season.
  • He was very excited to be a part of the venture, but due to ongoing commitments to ESPN, probably couldn’t return to the squad for their 1992 campaign.
  • Has been an analyst since 1987 for ESPN.

NOTES:

Lee Corso to me, is like the Dick Vitale of college football. He’s beloved by all and everybody loves his quips and antics. I tried him first via ESPN, but after that latest (and multiple other) failure(s), I think the door on TTM through the network is now closed. He has very few cards. I think he had a Press Pass Legends or something like that. -I think I flushed that on the first attempt that failed.