Coryell Predicts ‘Shocking’ Improvements : Spanos Gives Optimistic Coach Two More Seasons

After the Chargers had perpetrated another of their last-second giveaways and lost to Houston last month, owner Alex Spanos was so exasperated he went on a brisk three-mile walk to calm his stormy interior.

At that stage of the season, the team’s record was 5-7, and it appeared questionable, even unlikely, that the Chargers could finish with a .500 season or better. Don Coryell’s job as coach was very much on the line.

Spanos, however, did not act rashly. Although one of his hallmarks is impatience, the Chargers owner doesn’t make strategic, long-range decisions on a whim. After all, he had waited a decade to purchase the right football team.

Spanos’ willingness to go the distance with Coryell resulted in three wins in the final four games and an 8-8 record. It also led to a new commitment to his coach and a staff reorganization that should prove popular with players and fans alike. It may enhance the team’s chances of reaching Super Bowl XXII--Spanos’ stated goal.

Spanos announced Monday that Coryell’s contract has been renewed through 1987, a one-year extension of a deal that was to expire at the end of 1986.

He also announced the promotion of Al Saunders, 39, to assistant head coach. Saunders, who will serve as liaison between the staff and Spanos, is viewed as the heir apparent to Coryell. He has been receivers coach since 1983 and will continue in that role.

Ernie Zampese, who had been assistant head coach, was designated offensive coordinator in a lateral move rather than a demotion for the team’s chief offensive strategist.

Spanos also reiterated his desire to rebuild the defense, saying, “I need a couple of guys, some real heavies, to get to the quarterback.” It is expected that Dave Adolph, who replaced Tom Bass as defensive coordinator a month into the season, will remain in that capacity. Spanos has spoken warmly of Adolph, and Coryell reaffirmed his support.

Coryell also indicated his backing of chief scout Ron Nay’s goal of building through the draft, but didn’t rule out a trade. It has been speculated that tight end Kellen Winslow might be dealt for a linebacker or offensive lineman who could help the team immediately.

On a related matter, there has been debate over whether the Chargers should seek a quarterback in the 1986 draft or count on veteran Dan Fouts for the next few years.

The team doctor said Fouts’ health is sound and there is nothing that would cause a shortening of his career. Coryell also said he is pleased with the development of backup quarterback Mark Herrmann and even hinted that Herrmann might be Fouts’ successor, although it is far too early to make that determination.

It was an emotional day for Coryell, whose eyes glistened as he faced a contingent of reporters and TV cameras.

At one point, while discussing the Chargers defense, Coryell predicted fans would be shocked by improvements he expects next season. “Players have to be kicked around a little,” he said. “They need the experience of playing over an extended period. The ones who survive the hard knocks come back better.”

Coryell was asked if those remarks apply to his experience this season.

“Well, I’ve been through problems I never had before, like seeing my wife pick up the paper and read my job was on the line,” he replied. “I can wipe that sort of thing from my mind and go back to work. But it was new to me.

“I have a pretty good way of blocking out anything I don’t want to face. It’s the only way I’ve survived as long as I have. I create my own pressure. I try to satisfy myself. My first year as a high school coach, I put as much pressure on myself as I did this year.”

Coryell said he learned last Wednesday he would be retained as coach. At that time, Spanos had publicly announced his satisfaction with the season, which removed most doubt that Coryell would be back.

As long ago as training camp, Spanos made it clear he believed he had provided talent for at least a .500 record, and he would accept no excuses for a losing season.

Coryell said he is very excited about the chance to see the current nucleus of young players develop in the near future.

“I want to go out on top as a real winner,” the coach said. “I want to be part of this team when it wins. I don’t want to wait. I want to win now.”

He said he might retire if the team wins a championship in the next year or two, if only to satisfy his wife’s desires. “Don’t put that down,” he said, laughing heartily.

Coryell said he was concerned the change in Zampese’s title might be misinterpreted. “Ernie is the best offensive coach in football,” he said, “and he will continue to be in charge of our passing game and glue together our game plan each week.” Offensive line coach Dave Levy will remain in that position and retain his authority over the running game.

Coryell seemed pleased by the new duties given Saunders, the well-spoken young assistant who likely would have replaced him had the team failed to reach .500.

“Al is very bright and has the confidence and trust of everyone,” Coryell said. “He will help me in my duties with organization and administrative detail. Al will free me to deal with players, which is something I want to do.

“He will also be a liaison with Mr. Spanos, who is a businessman and who wants to know what’s going on. I’m not good at that sort of thing. I always wait for him to ask a question. Now Mr. Spanos can get a handle on anything, anytime. That makes me more comfortable.”

Coryell said he is optimistic the defense can be transformed into a playoff-caliber unit within two years. Of course, that need has existed since 1981, with little apparent progress. The difference is, Spanos now will look beyond Coryell in the effort to fill some of the many holes.

Those holes are obvious in the pass rush. But the linebacker corps, which had been viewed as a modestly sound area, dropped off in 1985, despite the maturation of Billy Ray Smith. The secondary remained erratic, despite the addition of a promising safety, Jeff Dale.

“Every winning coach is an optimist,” Coryell said. “I’ve been called unrealistic, but I thought we had a chance to win this year. If you don’t think that way, there’s no hope for you.”

Coryell said he hopes Adolph will be retained.

“He is very determined and intense,” Coryell said. “Nothing distracts him, and I think we improved under him.”

Coryell admitted he was shocked that Kansas City’s unheralded Stephone Paige caught 8 passes for a league record 309 yards Sunday. “We had some mental blackouts and blown coverages,” Coryell said.

In terms of shaping the club’s future, Coryell lined up behind Nay, the head scout and, until now, the chief adviser to Spanos. It isn’t clear yet whether Nay’s role will change with the promotion of Saunders. But it seems certain the team will remain committed to the draft first and trades second as instruments of rebuilding.

“The draft is the way to go, but if you have a glaring need, you can still make a deal,” Coryell said. “Look at some of the guys we picked up in trades--Wes Chandler, Charlie Joiner and Ed White.

“And don’t forget Mark Herrmann. He may be the best deal we ever made (the Chargers swapped a conditional 10th round pick for him).”

Coryell said Sunday’s game at Kansas City revealed a lot about Herrmann, who played poorly in the first half but engineered a rally that fell just short.

“Mark is a very intelligent guy who can absorb a game plan without much practice--just like Danny can,” Coryell said. “He has really come on this year. That doesn’t mean we would not draft a great quarterback, but we are really impressed with Mark.

“He has really quickened up his movements, and you can tell the players have increased confidence in him. At practice, you hear the guys say, ‘Hey, nice pass, Herm. Way to go.’ It’s too early to say he’s the guy who will take over for Danny one day, but he could be. He could be.”

The subject of Fouts received extended attention.

“I think Dan is the greatest quarterback of all time,” Coryell said. “I know he has some years to play. How many I don’t know.”

Team doctor Gary Losse, who is well acquainted with Fouts’ medical history, suggested there should be several years left.

“I’ve read he isn’t as tough as he used to be, but I don’t see it that way,” Losse said. “He’s just taken some very tough hits. It’s one isolated play when he gets nailed, not a series of minor injuries. For instance, when he got a tear of the medial collateral ligament, it was a helmet right to the knee.

“I see nothing abnormal about his condition and I don’t think he’s injury prone. Frankly, his recuperative powers and ability to tolerate the game amaze me. I see no difference in him now and three or four years ago. He has no chronic injuries that would cause a shortening of his career. There is nothing of a lingering nature.”

The Chargers have a lengthy list of wounded in need of Losse’s surgical talents, including:

Lionel (Little Train) James, who underwent arthroscopic surgery Monday for removal of a bone fragment in his knee. James, who was hurt in the season’s fourth game but played with little impairment the rest of the season, will be fine, Losse said.

Ed White, the veteran offensive guard, who will undergo arthroscopic surgery on a bad knee later this week. He should be able to return in 1986.

Jim Lachey, the rookie offensive tackle, who needs repairs to a frayed rotator cuff.

Center Don Macek, who has a chronic shoulder injury that may require surgery.

Linebacker Mike Green, who will have operations on his knee and shoulder.

Tight end Pete Holohan, who needs to have reconstructive surgery on a badly damaged ankle.

Losse said Winslow, who came back from a severe knee injury suffered in 1984, should be sound next year, and linebacker Mike Guendling, who suffered a leg injury 18 months ago, will be much healthier after another off-season.

Another area of improvement, from a fan’s viewpoint, is the home schedule. In 1986, the Chargers’ opponents in San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium include Miami, Houston, Dallas and Washington, a decidedly more appealing lineup than this year.

Before departing Monday, Charger players voted on a series of team awards, naming James most valuable player and most valuable offensive player. Smith was voted defensive MVP. White was named lineman of the year. Derrie Nelson was judged special teams player of the year; Charlie Joiner, most inspirational; and Lachey, most valuable rookie.