Chargers Offer Post to Sumner

Charlie Sumner, former defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Raiders, has been offered a similar position with the Chargers, but probably will decline it if he receives a head coaching job in the next two days.

Sumner, 55, met with Chargers owner Alex Spanos and assistant head coach Al Saunders for about two hours Tuesday in Stockton.

Spanos confirmed that he offered the job to Sumner, but said no decision would be forthcoming before Friday.

Sumner is believed to be a candidate for a head coaching position, of which there are four now in the NFL: in Houston, Philadelphia, St. Louis and New Orleans.

“We don’t know who he is talking with,” Saunders said. Sumner declined to comment.

Sumner, who is currently head coach of the USFL Oakland Invaders, remains the Chargers’ first choice to succeed Dave Adolph as defensive coordinator. But other candidates will be considered and interviewed before Friday, Saunders said.

If Sumner, who served two stints as Raiders defensive chief, accepts the San Diego job, he would fill two roles--defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. The Chargers recently fired their previous linebacker coach, Chuck Weber, and also dismissed defensive backfield coach Jim Wagstaff and special teams coach Marv Braden.

It is believed the Chargers will employ just three defensive coaches in 1986. If Sumner takes the defensive coordinator’s position, it is expected that Ron Lynn, who is now defensive head of the Invaders, would become San Diego’s backfield coach.

Gunther Cunningham is expected to remain in his 1985 position as defensive line coach.

Adolph, who was interviewed as a possible defensive coordinator, is thought likely to return to the position in which he joined the team last year, as chief of pro scouting.

Adolph replaced Tom Bass as defensive coordinator a month into the season.

The decision has since been made to transform the defense into a more aggressive, blitzing unit--and Sumner is the first choice for the task.