Darryl Drake (December 13, 1968 – August 11, 2019) was an American football player and coach. He played college football as a wide receiver at Western Kentucky University, where he set several school receiving records and earned All-Ohio Valley Conference honors. After going undrafted in the 1991 NFL Draft, Drake signed with the New York Jets and later spent time with the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League and the San Antonio Riders of the World League of American Football.
Transitioning to coaching, Drake began as a wide receivers coach at his alma mater, Western Kentucky, in 1995. He subsequently held similar positions at several institutions, including Eastern Kentucky University, the University of Missouri, and the University of South Florida. In 2005, Drake entered the National Football League as an assistant coach, serving as a wide receivers coach for teams such as the Chicago Bears (2006–2009), Arizona Cardinals (2010–2012), and Indianapolis Colts (2013–2019). He was recognized for his ability to develop talent at the receiver position and contributed to multiple playoff appearances.
Drake died of a heart attack on August 11, 2019, while on a road trip with the Indianapolis Colts. His death was publicly announced by the Colts organization, and he was memorialized by teammates, coaches, and the broader football community.
