Sanders Gets New Job, Younger Gets Fired in Charger Shake-up

The gradual redistribution of power in the Chargers front office was eased along Monday when general manager John Sanders was given a new title and assistant general manager Tank Younger was fired.

The Chargers, 4-12 this season and with holes throughout the lineup, have a new one in the front office now that Sanders has been relieved of his title as general manager.

Sanders, 64, who has served as general manager since Feb. 16, 1976, was named assistant to the president. With one year remaining before his retirement, Sanders basically has been nudged to the side, but will continue to negotiate player contracts and play a limited role in making trades.

Younger, the team’s assistant general manager since June 17, 1975, was informed his contract would not be renewed when it expires Thursday.

Owner Alex Spanos said he is in no hurry to fill the general manager’s position and indicated he is uncertain if he will do so for the 1987 season. During the regular season, Spanos conducted a series of talks with possible job candidates, including Terry Bledsoe, a former executive with the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills; Carl Peterson, Philadelphia Stars president and general manager; Dick Steinberg, New England Patriots director of player development, and Charlie Casserly, Washington Redskins assistant general manager.

A team source said several of those who met with the owner were not so much interested in a job as they were in obtaining raises or contract extensions in their current jobs.

Spanos basically confirmed that view, saying, “I think some people may have been (using him), but who am I to say? I did talk to some people, but I didn’t really interview them for the job, and there’s a difference.”

The latest move does not necessarily mean more power for Coach Al Saunders and scouting director Ron Nay, according to Spanos.

But Spanos said he hopes Saunders, who replaced Don Coryell at midseason, will agree to a new five-year contract as early as next week.

Saunders served as liaison between Spanos and Coryell and handled much of the administrative burden before taking over as coach. He is working on a doctorate in athletic administration at USC.

He will continue to work with Nay to chart strategy for trades and the draft with the aim of shoring up weaknesses at linebacker, defensive back, wide receiver, running back and possibly defensive line.

Sanders, meanwhile, will continue to labor in the background, in much the same role he has filled since Spanos purchased the team from Gene Klein in August 1984.

“I’m very happy and comfortable with this move,” Sanders said. “It gives Mr. Spanos plenty of room to maneuver if he wants to interview for the general manager job.

“All I want to do is help Mr. Spanos build a winner. Whatever he wants, I am ready and willing. He said he wanted to do what was right for both of us, and when he mentioned this (the new title), I thought it was ideal.”

Younger, who, like Sanders was associated with the Los Angeles Rams before coming to San Diego, said he wasn’t surprised by his dismissal.

“Mr. Spanos was going to work some changes and over time make replacements,” Younger said.

Although Younger said he hadn’t given his future much thought, Sanders said, “He won’t have any trouble finding a job.”

Sanders, in addition to handling negotiations with players, said he will serve as Spanos’ voice with the rest of the league in areas involving trades and other matters.

Sanders was involved in the draft day maneuvering that enabled the Chargers to move up via a trade and obtain Leslie O’Neal, who Monday was named Associated Press Rookie Defensive Player of the Year.

“Gee, if we could add as much through the draft as we did this year, I just can’t help but think we would have a winning season,” Spanos said.