San Diego Chargers
Team History
In 1960, the AFL began with eight teams, including Barron Hilton’s Los Angeles Chargers. They moved to San Diego in 1961 and play all nine seasons in the AFL. Since the AFL-NFL merge, the Chargers have made seven trips to the playoffs and three appearances in the AFC Championship game. The Chargers were the originators of the term “Fearsome Foursome” to describe their all-star defensive line. In August 1966, Hilton sells the Chargers to a group of businessmen.
1978 was marked by the “Immaculate Deception,” a game-winning play that allowed the Raiders to beat the Chargers (21-20). As a result of this play, the NFL rules have been changed so that, in the last 2 minutes of a half or of the game, the only offensive player allowed to advance a fumbled ball is the player who originally fumbled. In December 1979, the Chargers win their first AFC Western Division title since the AFL-NFL merge, against the Denver Broncos (17-7). In 1980, the Chargers clinched their second straight AFC Western Division title by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers (26-17). In the 1981 playoffs, the Chargers played the Miami Dolphins, which become to be known as “The Epic in Miami.” In 1981, the Chargers win their third straight AFC Western Division title. In 1989, Dan Henning, was named the eighth head coach, but lasted only 3 seasons. In 1992, Bobby Ross was hired as head coach. Ross was named NFL Coach of the Year for the Chargers.
From 1996 to 2003, the Chargers had 8 straight seasons where they were .500 or worse. In 2003, LaDainian Tomlinson became the first player in the team’s history and the eighth player in NFL history to record consecutive 2,000-yard seasons. He also became the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards and catch 100 passes in the same season.
The Chargers won the 2007 AFC Western Division Championship against Denver (52-21) and advanced to the AFC Division playoffs, deolts (23-17), but were defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers (35-24) in the AFC Divisional Game.
The Chargers have had the arc-shaped lightning bolt log since 1960. When in the AFL, they also used a shield logo with a horsehead and a lightning bolt and the words “Chargers.” The Chargers wear their blue jerseys at home and white jerseys for away games. In March 2007, the Chargers unveiled their first uniform redesign since 1988.
The Chargers network radio station is KIOZ 105.3. They have a secondary station for Los Angeles, KLAC AM-570. The Chargers theme song is the “San Diego Super Chargers.”
Historical Timeline
1959
• October 14: Frank Leahy, former Notre Dame University football coach is named the general manager of the Los Angeles Chargers.
1960
• January 7: Sid Gilman signs a three-year contract with the Chargers as head coach.
• March 20: Barron Hilton, owner of the Chargers, unveils the blue and gold with lightning bolt on the sides of the helmets and trousers, uniform.
• July 1: Frank Leahy resigns as general manager.
• July 8: Chargers open a training camp at Chapman College, Orange, California.
• July 9: Sid Gillman assumes the dual role of general manager and coach.
• September 10: The Chargers open the season by defeating Dallas, 21-20.
• December 10: Chargers beat the Broncos 41-33 for the AFL Western Division title.
1961
• February 10: The AFL gives Barron Hilton the approval to move the Chargers to San Diego.
• July 22: The Chargers open their training camp at the University of San Diego.
• November 19: Chargers defeat Dallas, 24-14 for the AFL Western Division title, while Charlie McNeil makes a professional record of 43 pass interceptions.
• December 24: Chargers are defeated by Houston in the AFL Championship (10-3).
1962
• July 16: The Chargers open their training camp at the University of San Diego.
1963
• January 13: Earl Faison is named outstanding defensive player in the AFL All-Star game.
• April 30: Barron Hilton sell one-third of their interest in the Chargers to a group of businessmen.
• July 10: The Chargers open their training camp at Rough Acres Ranch, San Diego, California.
• December 22: Chargers win AFL Western Division title against Denver (58-20).
1964
• Chargers win the AFL championship against Boston (51-10).
• January 19: Keith Lincoln is named MVP in the AFL All-Star game.
• July 15: The Chargers open their training camp at the TraveLodge in Escondido, California.
• October 3: Balboa Stadium attendance record of 24,865 is set on Thanksgiving Day.
• December 6: Chargers defeat the Jets for their fourth AFL Western Division title in five years (38-3).
• December 26: The Chargers are defeated by Buffalo in the AFL Championship game.
1965
• July 14: The Chargers open their training camp in Escondido, California.
• December 12: San Diego Chargers win their fifth AFL Western Division title in six years against Houston, 37-26.
• December 26: Buffalo defeats the Chargers for the AFL Championship title, 23-0.
1966
• July 8: Chargers open their training camp in Escondido, California.
• August 25: Eugene V. Klein of Beverly Hills head a group of 21 business executives who purchased the Chargers for $10 million, which is a record transaction in NFL history.
1967
• July 10: The Chargers open their training camp in Escondido, California.
• August 20: San Diego plays an NFL team for the first time, but is defeated by Detroit, 38-17.
• October 15: Leslie Duncan makes the longest interception return in AFL history, as the Chargers defeat Kansas City, 45-31.
• December 3: The Chargers are defeated by the Raiders before a sellout crowd (41-21).
1968
• July 5: The Chargers open their training camp in Escondido, California.
• August 3: The Chargers open the preseason game at home and score their first victory over an NFL team, the 49ers (30-18).
• November 24: Leslie Duncan sets an AFL record with a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown.
1969
• July 11: The Chargers open their training Camp at the University of California Irvine, Irvine, California.
• November 14: Sid Gilman resigns as head coach, but continues as general manager. He is replaced by the offensive backfield coach, Charlie Waller.
1970
• December 30: Sid Gillman returns as the head coach and Charlie Waller becomes the offensive coach.
1971
• February 13: Harland Svare becomes the general manager of the Chargers.
• July 10: Chargers open their summer training camp at UC Irvine, Irvine, California.
• November 22: Coach Sid Gilman resigns and is temporarily replaced by general manager Harland Svare.
• December 19: Harland Svare is named the head coach.
1972
• January 18: John Hadl is named NFL’s “Man of the Year.”
• March 28: Former Chargers Lance Alworth is inducted into the San Diego Hall of Fame.
• July 12: The Chargers begin their training at UC Irvine, California.
Sid Gillman, Lance Alworth & John Hadl
1973
• July 11: The Chargers begin their training camp at UC Irvine, California.
• November 5: Harland Svare remains as the Chargers general manager after resigning as head coach. Ron Waller is temporarily appointed head coach.
1974
• January 8: Tommy Prothro is named the fifth head coach of the San Diego Chargers.
• July 3: The Chargers open their training camp at the US International University, California.
• December 15: Don Wood rushes for 105 yards to set a team and NFL rookie record of 1,162 yards.
1975
• January 2: Don Woods is named NFL Rookie of the Year.
• March 10: Former Chargers tackle Ron Mix is inducted into the San Diego Hall of Fame.
• June 17: Paul Younger is named assistant general manager.
• July 8: The chargers open their training camp at USIU.
• December 7: The Chargers end an 11-game losing streak by defeating Kansas City, 28-20.
1976
• January 20: Harland Svare resigns as general manager.
• February 16: John Sanders is named general manager.
• July 5: The Chargers make UCSD their sixth summer training base in Chargers history.
1977
• July 15: The Chargers open their training camp at UCSD.
1978
• January 23: Lance Alworth becomes the first player from the AFL to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
• July 12: The Chargers begin their training at UCSD.
• September 25: Don Coryell is named the sixth head coach of the Chargers by President Gene Klein after the resignation of Tommy Prothro.
• October 8: Coryell’s first victory, defeating Denver 23-0.
• Ron Mix is inducted into the San Diego Hall of Fame.
1979
• January 9: Ron Mix becomes the second AFL player and second Charger to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
• July 16: The Chargers open their training camp at UCSD.
• October 21: Dan Fouts ties an NFL record for consecutive 300-yard passing games at 326 yards.
• October 25: Dan Fouts sets an NFL record with his fourth consecutive 300-yard passing game with 303 yards.
• November 18: Running back Paul Lowe is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
• December 11: The Chargers clinch their first playoff berth in 14 years.
• December 17: The Chargers defeat the Broncos, 17-7, in their first division title since 1965.
1980
• January 14: John Sanders, general manager of the Chargers, is named NFL executive of the year in balloting of other NFL executives by The Sporting News.
• July 11: The Chargers open their training camp at UCSD.
• September 14: Dan Fouts' 24-yard touchdown pass gives the Chargers a 30-24 victory over Oakland in overtime.
• September 28: The Chargers win their fourth game in a row in the AFC West competition, defeating Kansas City 24-7. The 4-0 record is the Chargers' best at the beginning of the season since 1966.
• October 19: Dan Fouts sets a club record with 444 yards passing.
• November 30: Running back Keith Lincoln and Barron Hilton are inducted into the Chargers' Hall of Fame.
• December 22: Chargers win their second straight AFC Western Division title against Pittsburgh, 26-17. San Diego Mayor Pete Wilson announces that the stadium will be renamed San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium in honor of Jack Murphy, late sports editor of The San Diego Union.
1981
• July 17: The Chargers open their training camp at UCSD.
• November 29: Ernie Ladd and Walt Sweeney are inducted into the Chargers' Hall of Fame.
• December 21: The Chargers win their third straight AFC Western Division championship against Oakland, 23-10.
1982
• January 20: The Chargers lose the AFC Championship against Cincinnati, 27-7, with the temperature nine degrees below zero and wind-chill factor of 59 below.
• July 24: The Chargers open their training camp at UCSD.
• September 12: San Diego opens the season against Denver, winning 23-3.
• December 11: Dan Fouts ties club records with 444 yards passing and 33 completions and Chargers have three receivers with more than 100 yards receiving as San Diego beats Super Bowl XVI champion San Francisco, 41-37.
• December 20: The Chargers set four team records, including one for 661 total yards, while defeating defending AFC Conference champion Cincinnati, 50-34.
1983
• April 11: The Chargers sign 20-year lease with City of San Diego to play their games in San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.
• July 16: The Chargers open their training camp at UCSD.
• November 27: Quarterback John Hadl was inducted into Chargers' Hall of Fame.
• December 11: Kellen Winslow catches 14 passes versus Kansas City to set a Chargers record.
1984
• January 16: Rolf Benirschke is named NFL/Miller Man of the Year.
• May 24: NFL announces San Diego will host Super Bowl XXII, Jan. 31, 1988.
• July 14: The Chargers open their training camp at UCSD.
• August 18: Eugene V. Klein. Spanos, of Stockton, California, is officially approved as majority owner of Chargers by vote of NFL owners.
• October 7: Kellen Winslow catches 15 passes at Green Bay to set Chargers record.
• October 29: Linebacker Chuck Allen is inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame.
• November 25: Wide receiver Charlie Joiner sets NFL record with his 650th pass reception.
• December 11: Charlie Joiner Day in San Diego is declared by Mayor Roger Hedgecock.
1985
• July 20: The Chargers open their training camp at UCSD.
• November 3: Wide receiver Gary Garrison and head coach Sid Gillman are inducted into the Chargers' Hall of Fame.
• December 22: Guard Ed White sets NFL record by playing in 241 NFL games, most all-time among offensive linemen. Mark Herrmann also sets club records with 37 completions and 58 attempts at Kansas City while starting for injured Dan Fouts.
• December 23: Head coach Don Coryell has his contract extended and receivers coach Al Saunders is promoted to assistant head coach.
1986
• July 19: The Chargers open their training camp at UCSD.
• September 7: San Diego opens season with 500 yards total offense, 224 rushing and 276 passing, and a 50-28 victory over Miami.
• October 29: Assistant head coach Al Saunders is named the seventh head coach of the Chargers following the resignation of Don Coryell. Saunders, 39, is the youngest head coach in the NFL.
• November 9: The Chargers defeat Denver Broncos, 9-3, for Saunders' first win as an NFL head coach.
1987
• January 6: Head coach Al Saunders signs a five-year contract with the Chargers.
• January 12: Wide receiver Charlie Joiner retires with 750 receptions, most in NFL history.
• July 25: The Chargers open their training camp at UCSD.
• October 18: "Re-Chargers" finish as one of NFL's two undefeated (3-0) strike teams, winning all games in fourth quarter, culminating with 23-17 win over Raiders in Los Angeles, Chargers first win over Raiders in Coliseum.
• November 15: San Diego's 16-14 win over Raiders gives them their eighth straight win and best record in NFL (8-1) and first sweep of Raiders since 1981.
1988
• January 31: San Diego hosts Super Bowl XXII in the San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.
• March 24: Quarterback Dan Fouts retires after 15-year career in which he set seven NFL records, 42 club records, and became the NFL's second most-prolific passer of all time with 43,040 yards.
• July 13: The Chargers open their training camp at UCSD.
• November 27: Dan Fouts' jersey number 14 is retired at halftime of "Dan Fouts Day" game in San Diego; Chargers lost to 49ers, 48-10.
• December 18: Gary Anderson sets a Chargers record with 34 rushing attempts and 217 yards in a 24-13 win against Kansas City.
• December 19: Head Coach Al Saunders is fired.
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1989
• February 9: Former Chargers quarterback, Dan Henning, is named the eighth head coach in Chargers history.
• July 22: The Chargers open their training camp at UCSD.
• December 17: Marion Butts sets a club record with 39 carries and a team rookie record with 176 yards in Chargers' 20-13 win in Kansas City.
• December 24: The Chargers end the season with a 19-16 win over the eventual AFC Champion Denver Broncos.
1990
• January 3: Bobby Beathard is named General Manager.
• January 25: Dick Daniels is named Assistant General Manager.
• July 21: The Chargers open their training camp at UCSD.
• October 28: Gill Byrd intercepts two passes versus Tampa Bay, the 29th and 30th of his career, to surpass Dick Harris for the most in team history.
• December 16: Marion Butts gains 71 yards at Denver to set a new Chargers single-season rushing record with 1,225 yards, surpassing Earnest Jackson's 1,179 yards.
1991
• July 15: The Chargers open their training camp at UCSD.
• October 6: The 0-5 Chargers defeat the 3-2 Raiders, 21-13, in the Coliseum for their first victory of 1991.
• December 23: Head Coach Dan Henning is fired.
1992
• January 2: Former Georgia Tech head coach Bobby Ross is named the ninth head coach in Chargers history.
• July 15: The Chargers open their training camp at UCSD.
• November 1: San Diego sets NFL record by winning fourth straight game, defeating Indianapolis 34-14.
• December 20: The Chargers clinch first playoff berth since 1983 with 36-14 win at Raiders and make history as only team to start 0-4 and make playoffs and have winning record.
• December 27: The Chargers win the AFC Western Division title with a 31-14 victory over Seattle.
1993
• January 10: Miami intercepted Stan Humphries four times and held the visitors scoreless to defeat San Diego, 31-0, in the AFC Divisional Playoffs.
• July 15: The Chargers open their training camp at UCSD.
• September 19: The Chargers induct quarterback Dan Fouts and wide receiver Charlie Joiner into the Chargers' Hall of Fame.
• November 29: The Chargers make their first appearance on ABC's Monday Night Football since October 6, 1986, and defeat the Colts, 31-0.
• December 12: Barron Hilton is honored before the Chargers-Packers game with a tribute and unveiling of a bronze sculpture of him to be on permanent display at Jack Murphy Stadium.
1994
• July 13: The Chargers open their training camp at UCSD.
• August 13: San Diego made its first appearance in an American Bowl game, losing to the New York Giants, 28-20, at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany. The game concluded the longest road trip in the team’s history.
• September 25: The Chargers defeated the Raiders, 26-24, and improved their record to 4-0, the team's best start since 1980.
• October 16: San Diego remained the NFL's only undefeated team (6-0) by winning on the road in New Orleans, 36-22.
• December 18: The Chargers clinched the AFC Western Division title against the NY Jets, 21-6.
1995
• January 8: The Chargers advanced to the AFC Championship game, defeating the Miami Dolphins, 22-21.
• January 15: The Chargers advanced to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history with a stunning, 17-13 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium.
• January 29: In Super Bowl XXIX, the Chargers lost to the 49ers, 49-26.
• February 1: Defensive Coordinator Bill Arnsparger retired.
• June 19: Linebacker David Griggs was killed in a one-car accident in Davie, Florida, becoming the first player in team history to die while on the active roster.
• July 29: Former Chargers tight end Kellen Winslow is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
• August 19: San Diego's preseason game at Houston is cancelled due to an "unsafe" playing surface at the Houston Astrodome. It was the first time an NFL game has been cancelled.
• September 3: The Chargers become the first team to play a regular-season game against the Raiders at the Oakland Coliseum since 1981.
• December 17: John Carney becomes the team's all-time field goal leader when he kicks his 147th and 148th career field goals with the Chargers in a 27-24 win at Indianapolis, surpassing Rolf Benirschke's record of 146 field goals.
• December 23: chargers beat the NY Giants, 27-17, and marks the Chargers fifth-consecutive win and gives San Diego its third playoff berth in the past four seasons.
1996
• May 11: Running back Rodney Culver and his wife, Karen, are killed in the crash of ValuJet Flight 592 in the Florida Everglades. Culver is the second player in team history to die while on the active roster after David Griggs was killed in a one-car accident in Davie, Florida, 11 months earlier.
• July 12: The Chargers open their training camp at UCSD for the 20th consecutive season.
• July 27: The Chargers defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 20-10, in the American Bowl preseason opener, in Tokyo, Japan, marking the Chargers' second American Bowl appearance and second trip to Japan. The team played in Japan in 1976.
• September 8: Minority owner George Pernicano is inducted into the Chargers' Hall of Fame.
• November 2: Chargers Owner, Alex Spanos, is the recipient of the Gloria Swanson Humanitarian Award at the American Cinema Awards' 11th Annual All-Star Gala in Beverly Hills.
1997
• January 3: Bobby Ross resigns as head coach.
• January 19: San Diego Chargers General Manager, Bobby Beathard, names former Jacksonville Jaguars Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride as the 10th head coach of the San Diego Chargers.
• May 23: Chargers President and Vice Chairman, Dean Spanos, introduces kicker Rolf Benirschke as the 20th selectee to the San Diego Chargers' Hall of Fame.
• August 2: The Chargers play their first game in the newly-renovated and expanded Qualcomm Stadium against the 49ers, 20-13.
• September 14: Kicker John Carney surpasses Rolf Benirschke as the Chargers' all-time leading scorer with his 767th career point with the team.
• September 28: Kicker Rolf Benirschke is formally inducted by team President Dean Spanos as the 20th member of the Chargers' Hall of Fame.
Qualcomm Stadium
1998
• January 20: Former Atlanta Falcons Head Coach June Jones is named the Chargers quarterbacks coach.
• January 21: Ed McGuire is named the Chargers coordinator of football operations.
• January 22: Former Oakland Raiders and Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Joe Bugel is named the Chargers offensive line coach.
• February 27: Stan Humphries, the only quarterback in team history to lead the Chargers to an AFC Championship, announces his retirement at a press conference at the team's training facility in Murphy Canyon.
• September 6: The Chargers defeat the Buffalo Bills, 16-14, in front of 64,037 fans, marking the largest crowd at a Chargers home opener in team history.
• October 13: Head Coach Kevin Gilbride is released after the sixth game of the season.
• November 29: The Chargers set a home attendance record when 66,532 fans watch the Bolts play the undefeated defending Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos, but loses, 31-16.
1999
• January 20: Former Oregon State University Head Coach Mike Riley is named the 12th head coach in Chargers history.
• September 19: The Chargers defeat the Bengals in Cincinnati, 34-7, making Mike Riley the first Chargers head coach to win his debut since Sid Gillman in 1960, the first year of the franchise.
• October 24: The Chargers set a home attendance record when 68,274 fans watch the Bolts play the Green Bay Packers, but loses, 31-3.
• November 21: Defensive lineman Gary Johnson is formally inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame by President Dean Spanos.
• November 28: QB Jim Harbaugh passes for a career-high 404 yards at Minnesota, making him the only quarterback in Chargers history to pass for more than 400 yards in a game other than Dan Fouts, who did it six times.
2000
• January 2: The Chargers finish the 1999 regular season with a 12-6 win in Denver, giving San Diego an overall record of 8-8 and a intra-division mark of 5-3, the best in the AFC West.
• April 25: Bobby Beathard, who helped guide the Chargers to Super Bowl XXIX as well as two AFC Western Division Championships and three playoff appearances during his 10 years as general manager, retires after 37 years in the NFL. Beathard is replaced by Ed McGuire, who is named Vice President of Football Operations by team President Dean Spanos.
2001
• January 5: Dean Spanos names John Butler as the team's new executive vice president and general manager.
• January 9: Norv Turner, the former head coach of the Washington Redskins, is named offensive coordinator by head coach Mike Riley.
2002
• January 29: The Chargers name Marty Schottenheimer as the team's 13th head coach.
• May 9: The Chargers announce that the team has signed a five-year agreement to hold their training camp at the Home Depot National Training Center on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills beginning in 2003. It will be the eighth training camp site in the 44-year history of the Chargers.
• May 14: Dean Spanos announces that the Chargers have hired Mark Fabiani as the team's Special Counsel to the President.
• September 8: Schottenheimer leads the Chargers to a 34-6 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in his debut, becoming just the fourth head coach in team history to win his first game.
• November 3: Bobby Ross and Stan Humphries are inducted as the 25th and 26th members of the Chargers' Hall of Fame.
• December 1: LaDainian Tomlinson rushes for a team-record 220 yards against Denver at Qualcomm Stadium.
• December 22: Junior Seau plays in his 200th career game, tying Russ Washington's team record.
2003
• April 11: Chargers General Manager John Butler succumbs after a nine-month battle with cancer.
• April 22: A.J. Smith is promoted to Executive Vice President-General Manager, replacing his close friend John Butler who lost a nine-month battle with cancer on April 11.
• June 2: A.J. Smith names Buddy Nix Assistant General Manager-Director of Player Personnel.
• July 22: The Chargers open their training camp at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, after spending the previous 27 training camps (1976-2002) at UCSD.
• November 9: Louie Kelcher becomes the 27th member to be inducted into the Chargers' Hall of Fame.
• December 14: LaDainian Tomlinson becomes the first player in team history and only the eighth player in NFL history to record consecutive 2,000-yard seasons.
• December 28: LaDainian Tomlinson becomes the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards and catch 100 passes in the same season.
2004
• January 16: Wade Phillips is introduced as the Chargers’ new defensive coordinator.
• July 26: Guard Ed White and center Don Macek are chosen as the 32nd and 33rd members inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame.
• July 30: Chargers open their training camp at The Home Depot Center.
• October 31: Drew Brees has record-setting day against rival Oakland, completing 22 of 25 for 281 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions in 42-14 win over Raiders. Brees finishes game with career-high passer rating of 153.1 and is named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
• November 15: Chargers name Jim Steeg executive vice president and chief operating officer.
• December 19: The Chargers clinch their first AFC Western Division title since 1994 against Cleveland (21-0). Chargers record their first shutout since Nov. 29, 1993 at Indianapolis.
• December 26: Chargers lose to Indianapolis 34-31 in overtime, to snap eight-game winning streak, tied for second-longest winning streak in team history.
2005
• January 8: Chargers host Wild Card Playoff Game against New York Jets, their first home playoff game since Dec. 31, 1995. They lose in overtime, 20-17.
• July 29: The Chargers open their training camp at Chargers Park for the first time.
• September 18: LaDainian Tomlinson scores a rushing touchdown in his 14th straight game, setting a new NFL record.
• October 10: The Chargers set a new single-game attendance record at Qualcomm Stadium when 68,537 fans turn out to see the Chargers face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football.
• October 16: Tomlinson catches a 35-yard touchdown pass to tie Lenny Moore’s NFL record of 18 straight games with a touchdown.
• December 31: Tomlinson passes Alworth to become the team’s all-time leader in total yards from scrimmage. Tomlinson also scores his 20th touchdown of the season against, breaking Chuck Muncie’s 25-year-old team record for single-season touchdowns.
2006
• January 4: Shawne Merriman is named Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press.
• September 11: The Chargers open the season against the Oakland Raiders, with a 27-0 win. It is their first shutout win over the Raiders since 1961.
• October 8: The Chargers defeat defending Super Bowl Champions, Pittsburgh Steelers, 23-13.
• October 15: LaDainian Tomlinson ties a team record with four touchdowns against San Francisco. He also becomes the team’s all-time touchdowns leader, passing Lance Alworth.
• November 19: Tomlinson scores four touchdowns in a 35-27 win at Denver. He sets a new NFL record as he becomes the first player to score four touchdowns in three games in a season.
• November 26: Tomlinson scores his 20th and 21st rushing TDs of the season to set a new team record.
• December 10: Tomlinson scores 3 touchdowns against Denver to set a new NFL record for single-season touchdowns (29). The Chargers win the game (48-20) to claim their second AFC Western Division title in the last three seasons.
• December 17: Tomlinson scores the 99th and 100th rushing touchdowns of his career becoming the fastest player in NFL history to reach 100.
2007
• January 4: LaDainian Tomlinson is named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player and the Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press.
• February 2: LaDainian Tomlinson and former Chargers quarterback Drew Brees are named co-recipients of the 2006 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
• February 12: Marty Schottenheimer is relieved as head coach of the Chargers.
• February 19: Norv Turner is hired as the 14th head coach in team history. He immediately hires Ted Cottrell as the team’s defensive coordinator.
• March 14: The Chargers unveil new uniforms for 2007 and beyond at a private fashion show at the U.S. Grant Hotel in San Diego.
• September 9: Wearing their new uniforms, the Chargers win their season opener, defeating the defending NFC Champion Chicago Bears, 14-3, before 67,837 at Qualcomm Stadium, the largest crowd ever to watch a home opener in San Diego.
• October 14: LaDainian Tomlinson ties a team record with four touchdowns as the Chargers defeat the Oakland Raiders, 28-14.
• November 4: Cromartie sets an NFL record for the longest touchdown in NFL history, returning a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the first half at Minnesota.
• December 16: The Chargers rout the Detroit Lions, 51-14, to capture their second-straight AFC West title and their third in the last four years. Norv Turner becomes only the second Chargers coach to win the AFC West Division title in his first season.
2008
• January 1: The Chargers win their first playoff victory since 1995, against the Titans in an AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Qualcomm Stadium.
• January 13: The Chargers clinch a playoff berth against the Colts, 28-24.
• January 20: The Chargers are defeated by the New England Patriots, 21-12.
Franchise History
1960 – 1962: Los Angeles Chargers (AFL)
1963 – 1969: San Diego Chargers (AFL)
1970 – Present: San Diego Chargers (NFL)
Coaching History
1960 – 1969: Sid Gillman (83-51-6)
1969 – 1970: Charlie Waller (9-7-3)
1971 – 1973: Harland Svare (7-17-2)
1973: Ron Waller (1-5-0)
1974 – 1978: Tommy Prothro (21-39-0)
1978 – 1986: Don Coryell (72-60-0)
1986 – 1988: Al Saunders (17-22-0)
1989 – 1991: Dan Henning 16-32-0)
1992 – 1996: Bobby Ross (0-36-0)
1997 – 1998: Kevin Gilbride (6-16-0)
1998: June Jones (3-7-0)
1999 – 2001: Mike Riley (14-34-0)
2002 – 2006: Marty Schottenheiimer (47-33-0)
2007 – Present: Norv Turner
Championship History
League championships (1)
AFL Championships (1)
1963
Conference championships (1)
AFC: 1994
Division championships (13)
AFL West: 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965
AFC West: 1979, 1980, 1981, 1992, 1994, 2004, 2006, 2007
Playoff appearances (16)
AFL: 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965
NFL: 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1992, 1994, 1995, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Lance Alworth, wide receiver (1978)
Dan Fouts, quarterback (1993)
Sid Gillman, head coach/general manager (1983)
Charlie Joiner, wide receiver (1996)
Ron Mix, offensive lineman (1979)
Kellen Winslow, tight end (1995)
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