Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers were established in 1959 as one of eight charter members of the American Football League. Barron Hilton, son of the hotel magnate Conrad Hilton, served as the team's original owner. The franchise began play in Los Angeles during the 1960 season at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. General manager Frank Leahy selected the name "Chargers" after hearing fans yell and bugles sound at Dodger Stadium and USC games. The team finished its inaugural year with a record that reflected the struggles of new professional leagues. Financial losses forced the organization to consider relocation options like Atlanta or Seattle by December 1960. They ultimately moved to San Diego in January 1961 to play at Balboa Stadium. The city upgraded the venue to increase seating capacity to 34,000 spectators. Their defense proved formidable in their first San Diego season, recording forty-nine interceptions. The team won the AFL championship against the Boston Patriots in 1963 before losing subsequent titles to the Buffalo Bills.
Don Coryell became head coach in 1978 and introduced the pass-heavy strategy known as Air Coryell. Quarterback Dan Fouts led the league in passing yards from 1978 through 1983 and again in 1985. The Chargers made four consecutive playoff appearances between 1979 and 1982 while winning three AFC West division titles. A famous 1981 game against the Miami Dolphins became known as the Epic in Miami due to its dramatic finish. The franchise reached Super Bowl XXIX in 1994 after winning the AFC championship but lost 49, 26 to the San Francisco 49ers. Marty Schottenheimer took over as head coach before the 2002 season and led the team to an 8, 8 record initially. Philip Rivers emerged as the starting quarterback in 2006 following a trade involving Eli Manning. That same year the team achieved a 14, 2 record, their best ever, though they lost in the Divisional Round to the New England Patriots. Norv Turner coached the team to multiple division titles before being fired after the 2012 season. Mike McCoy served as head coach until the end of the 2016 season when the team finished 5, 11.
Chargers owner Dean Spanos announced the move back to California on the 12th of January 2017, via a letter posted to the official site. The organization paid a $645 million relocation fee to the NFL for the transition. They played temporary home games at Dignity Health Sports Park from 2017 through 2019 while SoFi Stadium was under construction. This venue seated only 30,000 fans, well below the league's 50,000 minimum requirement for temporary homes. Attendance figures were low with one game drawing just over 25,000 spectators split evenly between home and visiting fans. A 2018 home opener against the Kansas City Chiefs drew so many away supporters that USA Today called it essentially a Chiefs home game. Revenue goals dropped from an initial $400 million target to $150 million due to poor attendance and limited season ticket revenue sharing. Anthony Lynn coached the team during their first years in Los Angeles before being fired after the 2020 season. Brandon Staley took over as head coach in January 2021 but was dismissed following a 63, 21 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in December 2023.
Sid Gillman served as head coach and general manager from 1960 to 1969 and again briefly in 1971. Don Coryell led the franchise from 1978 to 1986 and is credited with revitalizing the offense through Air Coryell. Bobby Ross became head coach in 1992 and guided the team to a Super Bowl appearance in 1994. Marty Schottenheimer managed the squad from 2002 until his firing after the 2006 season despite a historic 14, 2 record. Norv Turner coached the Chargers from 2007 through 2012, winning division titles but failing to advance deep into playoffs. Mike McCoy held the position from 2013 until the end of the 2016 season when the team finished 5, 11. Anthony Lynn served as head coach from 2017 to 2020 before being let go after a poor 7, 9 campaign. Brandon Staley was hired on the 17th of January 2021, and fired on the 15th of December 2023, following a lopsided loss to the Raiders. Jim Harbaugh joined the organization on the 24th of January 2024, having previously coached the San Francisco 49ers and University of Michigan.
The team debuted with an arc-shaped lightning bolt logo in 1960 alongside various shades of electric blue or white jerseys. Gold lightning bolts appeared on shoulders while helmets were white with either gold or navy logos depending on the year. White pants were worn initially before switching to gold in 1966. The color scheme changed to dark royal blue in 1974 along with yellow face masks making them one of the first teams to use non-grey facemasks. Navy blue became the primary jersey color starting in 1985 while white pants returned. A 1988 redesign featured darker navy uniforms with white lightning bolts outlined in gold. Powder blue throwbacks were introduced for the 1994 NFL 75th season program and used regularly from 2002 through 2006. The iconic bolt logo was updated in March 2007 to mix old and new styles with powder blue interior trim. An alternate logo incorporating letters LA with a lightning bolt shooting through the crossbar was unveiled on the 12th of January 2017 but scrapped after two days due to criticism resembling the Dodgers logo. New uniforms debuted in April 2020 removing navy blue entirely and returning powder blue as the primary color.
The Chargers, Raiders rivalry dates back to the 1963 season when Oakland defeated Los Angeles twice in fourth quarter comebacks. The Holy Roller game occurred in 1978 involving an intentional fumble that led to a rule change the following year. As of the end of the 2024 season the Raiders lead the series 69, 60, 2 including winning the only playoff meeting between them in 1980. The intercity rivalry with the Rams revived in 2016 after both teams returned to Los Angeles. Hostility erupted during a 2017 joint scrimmage at the Rams' training camp in Irvine resulting in multiple players rushing into a skirmish. The Rams won the first regular season matchup in Los Angeles in Week 3 of the 2018 season while the Chargers took the next meeting in Week 17 of 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs lead the all-time series 70, 58, 1 but the Chargers won their only playoff meeting in 1992. The Denver Broncos hold a 75, 55, 1 advantage over San Diego as of 2024 including victory in the 2013 AFC Divisional game.
Six numbers are retired by the franchise: #14 for Dan Fouts, #18 for Charlie Joiner, #19 for Lance Alworth, #21 for LaDainian Tomlinson, #55 for Junior Seau, and #80 for Kellen Winslow. Nine players and two coaches are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame including wide receiver Lance Alworth who played from 1962 to 1970. Defensive end Fred Dean served from 1975 to 1981 before induction. Quarterback Dan Fouts was active from 1973 to 1987 and joined the hall in 1993. Tight end Antonio Gates played until 2018 and was inducted in 2025. Head coach Don Coryell and general manager Sid Gillman also received honors. The team created its own Hall of Fame in 1976 with members honored at the Chargers Ring of Honor above Qualcomm Stadium. A 50th Anniversary Team announced in 2009 included 53 players and coaches selected from 103 nominees through online voting that drew over 400,000 votes. The Chargers have the worst playoff winning percentage in NFL history at .364 despite making fifteen postseason trips since joining the league.
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Common questions
When was the Los Angeles Chargers established and who was their original owner?
The Los Angeles Chargers were established in 1959 as one of eight charter members of the American Football League. Barron Hilton, son of the hotel magnate Conrad Hilton, served as the team's original owner.
Where did the Los Angeles Chargers play during their first season in San Diego?
The Los Angeles Chargers moved to San Diego in January 1961 to play at Balboa Stadium. The city upgraded the venue to increase seating capacity to 34,000 spectators for the franchise.
Who is the current head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers as of 2024?
Jim Harbaugh joined the organization on the 24th of January 2024 after previously coaching the San Francisco 49ers and University of Michigan. He replaced Brandon Staley who was dismissed following a loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in December 2023.
What are the retired jersey numbers for the Los Angeles Chargers and which players wear them?
Six numbers are retired by the franchise including #14 for Dan Fouts, #18 for Charlie Joiner, #19 for Lance Alworth, #21 for LaDainian Tomlinson, #55 for Junior Seau, and #80 for Kellen Winslow. These players were honored for their contributions to the team history.
When did the Los Angeles Chargers announce their return to California and where did they play temporarily?
Chargers owner Dean Spanos announced the move back to California on the 12th of January 2017 via a letter posted to the official site. The organization played temporary home games at Dignity Health Sports Park from 2017 through 2019 while SoFi Stadium was under construction.