Joiner May Retire Today, Source Says

Charlie Joiner, the most prolific receiver in pro football history, is expected to announce his retirement today and accept a job as receivers coach of the Chargers, according to a source close to the team.

Joiner, an 18-year veteran, would be one of three new coaches added to the staff in the wake of changes announced Sunday by the club.

Two assistant coaches were fired and another was given a change in duties as head Coach Al Saunders shuffled his staff.

Departing were Hank Bauer and Earnel Durden, with Mike Faklis taking a new job in the front office.

Bauer, a former special teams star with the team, was special teams coach this season.

After Saunders replaced Don Coryell at midseason, Bauer, who had been with the team for 10 years, was given additional duties as running backs coach. Durden, who had been with the Chargers for 13 years, became receivers coach after Bauer was handed the responsibility for backs.

Faklis, an assistant coach for two years, was given administrative duties.

Saunders, who last week signed a five-year contract as head coach, is expected to announce the appointment of Joiner as receivers coach this week, perhaps as early as today, the source said.

It is believed that Saunders will complete his staff by hiring an experienced running backs coach and a special teams coach who can assist with the defense.

Retaining their positions are defensive coordinator Ron Lynn, linebackers coach Mike Haluchak, defensive line coach Gunther Cunningham, offensive line coach Dave Levy, assistant offensive line coach Ed White and offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese.

Joiner, who was unavailable for comment Sunday, seemed to be leaning toward retirement when the regular season ended last month.

The 39-year-old receiver would bring several important qualities to the job of receivers coach, including technical knowledge of pass routes, tireless work habits and a quiet, professional manner.

Joiner’s retirement would come after his one of his least effective seasons. He had 34 catches for 440 yards and 2 touchdowns in 1986, leading to speculation that he might not have a place in the team’s plans for 1987.

Although Saunders deftly maneuvered around those questions late in the season, it is believed that Joiner has decided it’s time to retire.

He leaves as the National Football League’s No. 1 receiver in passes caught (750) and reception yardage (12,146). He surpassed Charlie Taylor in receptions in 1984 and moved past Don Maynard in receiving yardage in 1986.

Joiner, who came to the Chargers in a 1976 trade, spent a decade as the favorite receiver for quarterback Dan Fouts in third-down situations.

“He’s my security blanket,” Fouts once said. “All I’m trying to do out there is look for a port in a storm. He’s the port. Having Charlie is like having a fail-safe button.”

San Francisco 49er Coach Bill Walsh has called Joiner the most intelligent receiver the game has ever seen.

Joiner, who had 50 or more catches seven times as a San Diego receiver, became the oldest receiver to play in the NFL in 1986.

He missed one game this year after suffering a broken hand and a broken nose, which kept him out of the home finale against Seattle and ended a consecutive-game streak that dated back to 1973.

Joiner, a collegiate star at Grambling, was drafted as a defensive back by the Houston Oilers in 1969 before switching to wide receiver.

His single-game highs as a pro included 10 catches against the New York Giants in 1980 and 200 yards receiving against Cleveland in 1975.