Timing of Firing Has Gillman Feeling Bad for a Fellow Coach

It remained for the first head coach in the Chargers’ history to sum up the sad situation after the firing of Coach Al Saunders Monday.

“It’s not a good Christmas present,” said Sid Gillman, 77, who coached the Chargers from their origin in Los Angeles in 1960 to 1969 and again briefly in 1971.

Gillman, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, said he knew Saunders only casually but was upset about his dismissal.

“It disturbs me to see a football coach fired,” Gillman said. “I really feel for him. I have no knowledge of his talent as a coach, and therefore I can’t pass judgment one way or the other. Nevertheless, it’s a tough thing for him to go through, especially at this time of year.

“I don’t know what the reasons are, but I’m not one to question an owner’s judgment. The person who owns the club can do anything he wants to do. I just feel bad about it.”

Gillman coached the Rams from 1955 to 1959 before helping to launch the Chargers, who moved to San Diego after one season in Los Angeles. He also coached the Houston Oilers in 1973 and 1974.

“Football has been my life,” Gillman said. “I started coaching back in 1934, and I’ve always hated to see these things happen.”

Another former Charger coach, Don Coryell, was less communicative. He coached the team from 1978 until midway through the 1986 season, when Saunders succeeded him. Saunders became receivers coach under Coryell in 1983 and was named assistant head coach after the 1985 season.

“I’d rather not comment on it,” Coryell said. “It’s best that I stay out of it. I’d just like to disappear into the woodwork.”

Al Joiner, who was receivers coach under Saunders the last 2 seasons after a record-breaking career as a wide receiver, reacted philosophically to the firing.

“It’s unfortunate, but it’s part of football,” Joiner said. “It goes with the job.’

Of his own job status, Joiner said, “I haven’t been told anything. They didn’t say a word to anybody.”

The Chargers’ press release announcing Saunders’ dismissal said the assistant coaches “will remain with the team through the appointment of a new head coach.” A Charger spokesman said this didn’t necessarily assure any assistants of being kept.

Joiner was asked whether he would follow Saunders to another job, say in the college ranks. Saunders conceivably could wind up at Stanford, where he obtained a master’s degree in education in 1970. Stanford recently fired Coach Jack Elway.

“I might (go with Saunders) if it benefitted my family,” Joiner said. “But I’ve lived here 12 years, and I’m not anxious to move. If I’m not retained here, I probably wouldn’t stay in coaching.

“At this point, I’m just thinking out loud. I’ll do whatever is best for my family. I like coaching, but I’m not sure I want to make it my life’s work.”

Saunders told his players about his firing in a meeting Monday morning, and the news caught some of them by surprise.

“We thought it was a typical Monday meeting,” defensive end Tyrone Keys said. “We were talking about how good yesterday’s game (a 24-13 victory over the Chiefs) was, and he said what a great team this could be. Then all of a sudden, out of the blue, he said he wouldn’t be back next year. It really caught me off guard.”

Ken Dallafior, who was released before the season began, then re-signed and wound up as a starting offensive tackle, said he had great respect for Saunders.

“I’m saddened by this,” Dallafior said. “I think Coach Saunders did a commendable job of coaching, and I owe him a lot for having the confidence in me to bring me back.

“I also think he did a remarkable job of telling us he was no longer the head coach. He did it with a lot of class. He said he wanted only what was best for the players and the organization. That said a lot for him as a person, the way he handled adversity.”

Cornerback Gill Byrd called Saunders’ firing “inevitable,” but Dallafior disagreed.

“I know there were a lot of rumors flying around,” Dallafior said. “But the feeling among the players and coaches was that it wasn’t a foregone conclusion.”

Linebacker Gary Plummer, who also played under Saunders at California in 1981 when Saunders was assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, made it clear that he wasn’t happy to see Saunders go.

“I really think he did a good job,” Plummer said. “Ever since I was with him in college, I’ve admired his work ethic. He’s a good coach.”

Perhaps the most disappointed Charger was Mark Vlasic, whose fine showing in 2 starts before suffering a knee injury stamped him as the team’s quarterback of the future.

“It’s sad,” Vlasic said. “Everything is in limbo. Nobody knows what’s going on.”

AL SAUNDERS’COACHING RECORD

Al Saunders’ coaching record with the San Diego Chargers:

Year Record Pct. 1986 3-7-0 .300 1987 8-7-0 .533 1988 6-10-0 .375 Totals 17-24-0 .415