Saunders Gets Pact Through ’91
The responsibility for the Chargers’ development during the next five seasons Tuesday was placed squarely in the hands of Coach Al Saunders, who signed a contract running through the 1991 season.
Terms were not revealed, but Saunders, who will be 40 Feb. 1, will have more power than many coaches, according to owner Alex Spanos.
Saunders did not receive authority on a par with Ray Perkins at Tampa Bay, in which the coach also has the power of general manager and an ownership stake.
But it’s clear that Saunders, who produced a 3-5 record after succeeding Don Coryell at midseason, will rival Perkins in his ability to shape the team to his liking.
“It’s his responsibility, and he has the authority to make the changes he wants,” Spanos said. “He’s the boss. He’s in charge of the football operation.”
The signing marks the end of a transition for the Chargers in which Spanos has gradually weeded out staff inherited from the Gene Klein regime.
Since buying the team from Klein in 1984, Spanos has moved deliberately to put his own management team in place. Last week he gave General Manager John Sanders a new title--assistant to the president--and fired Tank Younger, whose position--assistant general manager--was eliminated.
The Chargers have no general manager, and Spanos is undecided on whether to hire one. Until he does so, Saunders fills the void.
Spanos said he views this as the start of a new era for the Chargers.
“This is the end (of the Klein period). It’s my ballclub now,” Spanos said. “There may be a few more minor changes, but mostly this is it. We’re looking for bigger and better things.”
There’s immediate pressure on Saunders and scouting director Ron Nay to shore up nearly a half dozen holes through the college draft.
“As I have said before, we still need defensive help in our line, linebackers and secondary,” Saunders said. “We’d also like to get a speed receiver and a dominant, every-down running back. It’s not feasible to get it all done in one draft, but we’ll do the best we can.”
Although Saunders labored to create a new identity for the Chargers as a ball-control offense and aggressive, pass-rushing defense, the old image lingers, according to Spanos.
“When people talk about the Chargers, they keep coming back to our old offense (Air Coryell) and our old defense (known as pro football’s worst),” Spanos said.
“I’m going to change all that as soon as I can. I don’t think we’ve made an imprint on people’s minds yet. They still remember what this team used to be.”
Spanos said he recognized early that Saunders was the person he ultimately wanted to run the team.
“No question,” he said. “Al didn’t take long to prove himself to me. He has so much dedication and he shows great leadership and organization and discipline. He did a great job this year. I have every confidence we will go all the way under Al Saunders.”
Saunders became the team’s assistant head coach shortly after the end of the 1985 season. Under Coryell, he served as a link to Spanos, who communicated with his coach through Saunders.