Beathard Looks at 3 College Coaches : Coaches: Georgia Tech’s Ross, Miami’s Erickson and Stanford’s Green interest Charger GM.

It was on Bobby Beathard’s recommendation that Steve Ortmayer hired Dan Henning three years ago as the Chargers’ eighth head coach.

Beathard, who has fired (Jack Pardee) and hired (Joe Gibbs) only one head coach in his 29 years in the National Football League, will pick the Chargers’ next head coach, if as expected, Henning’s tenure comes to an end today.

“It’s Bobby’s decision all the way,” said a source within the organization. “Mr. (Alex) Spanos is being very good about this. It’s Bobby choice.”

When Ortmayer went looking for a head coach to replace Al Saunders, it took eight weeks. Ortmayer introduced several candidates to Spanos and Spanos’ son, Dean, including Kansas City Coach Marty Schottenheimer and Mike White, Raiders offensive assistant.

There will be no such interviews this time. There will be no eight-week wait. Beathard already has talked to several coaching candidates, and while he’s known to fancy Georgia Tech’s Bobby Ross, he has also considered the following prospects:

Mike Holmgren, San Francisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator--Bill Walsh’s understudy. Spanos would fall head over heels for anybody with a 49ers background. Holmgren was a hot prospect the past two years, but Joe Montana was playing quarterback for the 49ers, and all was well in San Francisco. Holmgren hasn’t been so smart with Steve Young and Steve Bono at quarterback. He knows offense, but does he have other skills necessary to oversee a team?

Richie Petitbon, Washington Redskins’ defensive coordinator--The Redskins are expected to win the Super Bowl, and if so, Petitbon will draw a lot of national attention. His defense ranked fourth in the league at the start of play Sunday, and Petitbon has been the master planner behind Washington’s attack since 1978. He’s worked with Beathard, he’s been to the Super Bowl, but does he have the temperament to handle 47 players, the media, and demanding fans?

Dennis Erickson, University of Miami head coach--He’s the hottest property in football and he’s one victory away from winning a national championship. He would go over big with Chargers fans who crave a coach with a winning record (82-34-1 career mark at Idaho, Wyoming, Washington State and Miami). John Friesz took command of Erickson’s offense at Idaho after Erickson moved on to Wyoming and that would make the transition to a new coach that much easier for the team’s young signal-caller. Beathard likes Erickson, but Erickson grew up in Everett, Wash., and he appears to be the front-runner to replace Seahawks Coach Chuck Knox.

Dennis Green, Stanford head coach--A real long shot. Bill Walsh recommended Green, and Beathard has great respect for Walsh. Green coached the receivers for Walsh, and he has a strong background on the offensive side of the ball. Green couldn’t turn Northwestern around (10-45), but he’s enjoyed some success at Stanford (16-17).

Bobby Ross, Georgia Tech head coach--A consensus national coach of the year last season after directing the Rambling Wreck to an 11-0-1 record. He has four years of pro experience working with the Kansas City Chiefs, which included two years with the special teams and defense and two years with the offensive backs. He’s a straight shooter and a discipline guy, who went to VMI. Georgia Tech finished 7-5 this season and plays Stanford Christman day in the Eagle Aloha Bowl. Stanford’s favored by four points.

“I know Bobby Ross; he tried to recruit me to play at Maryland,” said Chargers defensive lineman Burt Grossman. “Biggest mistake I made in my life not going there . . . if I had, I might have had an in with him if he’s coming here.”