Dan Henning to Coach the NFL Chargers

Dan Henning today was named coach of the San Diego Chargers, ending a seven-week search for a successor to the fired Al Saunders.

Henning, 46, a Washington Redskins assistant, was signed to a five-year contract with the Chargers and becomes the eighth head coach in the franchise’s 29-year history.

“We think Dan Henning is the right man for the job, and we’re going to give him every opportunity to win,” Chargers owner Alex Spanos said. “The Chargers will be active and aggressive in getting Dan the type of personnel needed to win in the NFL.”

Henning had reportedly been in line for the Chargers job, and the official announcement was made after he and Steve Ortmayer, the Chargers’ director of football operations, met to complete contract details.

Henning was 22-41-1 as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 1983 through 1986. He directed Washington’s offense during the 1987 season, which ended with the Redskins’ 42-10 Super Bowl win over Denver, and was the team’s quarterback coach last season.

The NFL Edge

Henning’s four years of experience as an NFL head coach is believed to have given him an edge with Spanos over such other candidates as former Illinois and California coach Mike White, Chicago assistant Johnny Roland and Chargers assistants Ron Lynn and Wayne Sevier.

Henning was on the Chargers’ regular-season roster in 1966 as a backup quarterback. He also participated in the first game played in San Diego’s stadium during the 1967 preseason.

Jerry Rhome, Charger offensive coordinator, worked with Henning in Washington, where both were assistants on the Redskin team that won Super Bowl XXII in San Diego. It was not immediately known whether Henning would retain Rhome.

Henning almost took the Raiders coaching job last year. But he and Raider owner Al Davis reportedly disagreed on who would have final say on the 45-man roster. Henning’s attributes are considered to be a quick mind, an indefatigable work ethic and the ability to conceive innovative offensive strategy.

Those qualities attracted Davis and, more recently, Ortmayer, who worked under Davis in the Raider organization before moving to San Diego two years ago.

Offensive Line Coach

Henning and Ortmayer also will have to decide on an offensive line coach. Jerry Wampfler left the Chargers this week to become an assistant with the Detroit Lions.