Chargers’ Ross, Arnsparger to Meet Today : Football: Florida athletic director is being courted for job as defensive coordinator.

Coach Bobby Ross, who called Bill Arnsparger “one of the great minds in football,” will meet today here with the University of Florida athletic director to continue discussions about becoming the Chargers’ defensive coordinator.

“Hopefully by Monday morning,” Ross said, “we’ll have a conclusion to this situation.”

Ross on Friday hired Ohio State’s Jerry Sullivan to coach the Chargers’ wide receivers and he is expected to hire Tampa’s Carl Mauck, who coached for the Chargers previously (1971-1974) today as offensive line coach.

The Chargers also might be interested in hiring Tampa Bay linebacker coach Dale Lindsey, but the Bucs’ hiring Friday of head coach Sam Wyche might have an impact on Lindsey’s availability.

Ross said that he expects Georgia Tech assistant Ralph Friedgen to accept an offer to become the team’s running game coordinator and tight ends and H-backs coach. He also expects Georgia Tech assistant George O’Leary to accept an offer to become a defensive assistant with the Chargers.

“I’d say it’s 99% with Friedgen and O’Leary,” Ross said. “I hope I’m done interviewing people now, of course, with the exception of talking again with Arnsparger.”

Arnsparger, who has been attending the NCAA’s annual convention in Anaheim, said, “I have talked with Bobby Ross, but I can’t tell you how serious it is at this point. It’s early yet.”

Sources, however, said that Arnsparger was offered the Charger post after meeting with Ross Wednesday. Ross described his talks with Arnsparger as “very general,” but he said he presently has no plans to talk with anyone else about the position.

“He’s a real football coach,” said General Manager Bobby Beathard, who recommended Arnsparger to Ross. “Whether he really wants to do this, we’ll find out.”

Arnsparger found success in the NFL as Miami’s defensive coordinator, and then accepted LSU’s offer in 1984 to become head coach. He became Florida’s athletic director in 1987.

“He’s a proven experienced football coach,” Ross said. “He’s a very level-headed individual and there isn’t much he hasn’t seen. I like those type of guys. And I think someone of his stature would be good for our young people.”

Arnsparger has been away from the pro game since 1983, but Ross said he’s not concerned.

“I’ll give you an example,” Ross said. “Ted Marchibroda was out of the game for a reasonable length of time, and he’s come back and done a fantastic job (as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator). I don’t think people like that lose it.”

Arnsparger said, “I’ve been out of it for a few years, but whether I return or not, pro football and college football will always be a part of my life.

“You miss the sideline and the association of the people on the sideline. I’m happy at Florida, and I have a good job and a good program at Florida.”

Arnsparger, however, has been teased by the prospect of returning to the sideline. He discussed that possibility last year with Beathard, who worked with him at Miami in the early ‘70s, but the Chargers were looking for a defensive line coach. Arnsparger said he might be interested if a coordinator’s position opened.

“He’s a brilliant defensive coach,” Beathard said. “And he’s a great teacher. We’ve kept in touch, and everybody that was around him at LSU said he’s way ahead of the game.”

Ross has been up at 5:15 a.m. each day since being hired, and has been interviewing coaching candidates beginning at 6 each day. He has spent as much as six hours with each candidate, including a heavy emphasis on X’s and O’s work at the blackboard.

“I tried to find people who have an understanding of offensive and defensive schemes,” Ross said. “I was also looking for people who are good teachers, and I wanted good communicators. I wanted people who could communicate with players in a non-coaching environment and I wanted people who could work well together.

“I didn’t spend this kind of time hiring college coaches. I think I’ve always put together good staffs, but I went beyond that here because I thought schemes and techniques were important. I knew what I was looking for, and I’ve spent a lot of time on this. I’m ready to go now.”