Don Strock Don Strock ( born November 27 , 1950 ) is a former professional football player who was the head coach of the Florida International University football team from 2002 – 2006 . Playing career . College . Strock played college football at Virginia Tech , and graduated in 1973 . In his senior season in 1972 , Strock led the nation in total passing and total offense , yet finished only ninth in voting for the Heisman Trophy . The college game was then dominated by running backs ; the 1972 Heisman went to wingback Johnny Rodgers of Nebraska . To date , Strock still holds many collegiate football passing records at his alma mater and was inducted into the Virginia Tech Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985 . Professional . Strock played in the National Football League as a quarterback . A 5th round selection ( 111th overall pick ) of the 1973 NFL Draft , he spent the majority of his professional career with the Miami Dolphins ( 1973 – 1987 ) , and was mostly known for his role as a back - up to Hall - of Famers Bob Griese in his first years with the team and Dan Marino as he finished his career with the club . He also played one season with the Cleveland Browns ( 1988 ) and part of a season on the roster of the Indianapolis 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 straight Super Bowl following the undefeated 1972 – 73 season . He was also a member of the Dolphin teams who played and lost in the 1983 and 1985 Super Bowls . Strock is well - remembered for coming off the bench on January 2 , 1982 , for the Miami Dolphins in an AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the San Diego Chargers at the Miami 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 Diego tight end Kellen 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 as The Epic in Miami and has entered NFL lore as one of the greatest games ever in NFL history . Coaching career . Arena Football League , the World League and the NFL . Strock began his coaching career as the head coach of the Miami Hooters of the Arena Football League for one season in 1993 . The following season he moved on to be the head coach of the Massachusetts Marauders and again only stayed for one season . He then moved on to be an assistant coach of the Rhein Fire in the World League during 1995 season . Between 1996 – 1998 seasons , he was the quarterbacks coach of the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL . Florida International University . 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 against Division I - A opponents . His resignation came after an 0 – 9 start and a much - publicized brawl against the University of Miami Hurricanes caused 16 players from FIU to be suspended . His resignation became effective following FIU ' s last game against Troy University on December 2 , 2006 .