Chargers Choose an Offensive Coordinator

Larry Beightol, described as demanding and extremely well-organized by those who have worked with him, was named Charger offensive coordinator by the team Wednesday.

Beightol, 46, served under Dan Henning, the newly appointed Charger coach, in Atlanta in 1985-86 before taking over as offensive line coach at Tampa Bay for two seasons. He has 17 years of college coaching experience, including 13 under Notre Dame Coach Lou Holtz.

Henning said Beightol’s responsibilities will be organization of the offense and working with the offensive line. During Beightol’s two-season stay in Atlanta, the Falcons went from 15th to third in rushing in the National Football League.

Beightol’s title of offensive coordinator allows him to leave Tampa Bay, where he had a two-year contract that stated he could not accept another job unless it was a promotion.

Also Wednesday, the Chargers announced the signing of Joel Patten, a 6-foot-7, 307-pound offensive lineman who started 14 games with Indianapolis last season. Patten, who signed a four-year contract, is the fifth player signed since the initiation of the NFL’s new free-agency plan Feb. 1.

“Prior to my hiring Larry,” Henning said of his newest assistant, “he was recommended to me as the outstanding line coach in the country by Lou Holtz and Frank Broyles.”

Though Holtz said he has the utmost respect for Beightol (pronounced BECK-tall), things were not always smooth between them.

“I don’t think I fired him more than once a week,” Holtz said. “And I don’t think he quit more than once a week. If he believes in something, he’ll argue about it. He’s very dedicated.”

Broyles, athletic director at the University of Arkansas, where Beightol served as offensive coordinator for three years, said Beightol is unsurpassed as a teacher of strategy for offensive linemen. Broyles confirmed that Beightol isn’t afraid to say what’s on his mind.

“He’s a General Patton,” Broyles said. “He expects perfection. You’ll either like him or you’ll hate him, but he brings out the best in the players.”

Warren Powers, former coach at Missouri who hired Beightol as his offensive coordinator in 1983, said Beightol should help the Chargers improve their running game and quarterback protection. Powers said Beightol has always been well-liked by his players, despite being extremely tough.

“He gets right in players’ faces, but he’s the kind of guy who can do that because the players respect him,” Powers said. “They don’t rebel against him. He’s like their father.”

Beightol helped develop Atlanta linemen Bill Fralic and Mike Kenn, both Pro Bowl players. Fralic, who was a rookie when Beightol was with the Falcons, said Beightol works long hours and pays attention to details.

“He makes (players) pay attention to details also,” Fralic said. “I can remember him yelling quite a bit on certain instances.”

Fralic recalled meetings Beightol would hold with the linemen the night before each game. He would hand out sheets filled with instructions and inspirational sayings and quotations.

“He’s the kind of coach that tries to get the guys fired up,” Fralic said. “I enjoyed playing for him. I think (the Chargers) made a good move.”

Before coming to the NFL, Beightol coached at Missouri, Arkansas, Auburn, North Carolina State and William and Mary.

As a player, Beightol started for Catawba College in North Carolina at both guard and linebacker and twice was an all-conference selection. He has been inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.