Chargers Talk to Seifert; Schottenheimer Still No. 1

The Chargers talked with George Seifert, the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator, about their vacant head coaching job Friday. But earlier in the day, Steve Ortmayer, the Chargers’ director of football operations, refused to deny that former Browns’ Coach Marty Schottenheimer is the front-runner for the job.

“I’ve said from the start that Marty Schottenheimer is probably the most qualified under the guidelines we’ve set,” Ortmayer said by phone from Palo Alto, where he is scouting players who will participate in Sunday’s East-West game.

Ortmayer, who also will meet Sunday with Floyd Peters, Minnesota’s defensive coordinator, said he plans to talk again with Schottenheimer but has not set a date.

Ortmayer said the timetable for finding a replacement for Al Saunders has sped up for a couple of reasons. For starters, the Chargers aren’t the only team looking for a coach. And, Ortmayer said, “I’m concerned about getting a head coach here by the month of February so he can have time to adjust.”

But Ortmayer said he doubted he would make a hire until after the Super Bowl Jan. 22.

Ortmayer balked at responding to statements made by the agent of Chicago Bears’ quarterback Jim McMahon. The agent, Chicago attorney Steve Zucker, told The Times this week that the Bears had mistreated McMahon and that McMahon had always wanted to play in San Diego. There also were published reports the Chargers would have to give up No. 1 and No. 3 draft picks in 1991 to acquire McMahon.

Asked if there had been any contact between the Chargers and Bears regarding the injury-plagued McMahon, Ortmayer paused a long time before saying, “No.”

Asked if he thought McMahon, 29, could still play effectively in the NFL, Ortmayer said: “I see no reason why not. Short of seeing an injury report.”