Los Angeles Chargers · Franchise era 2 of 7
Searching after Gillman: the Los Angeles Chargers story
Franchise era
1970—1977
Searching after Gillman
Los Angeles Chargers
The story in one sentence
San Diego struggled through transition but drafted the quarterback who would become the center of its next revolution.
Fouts arrives before the system does
Dan Fouts, Gary Garrison and Doug Wilkerson gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for air coryell.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 1970
What came before
Gillman's vertical passing principles and Alworth's speed produced five division titles and the franchise's only league championship in 1963.
1970—1977
Searching after Gillman
San Diego struggled through transition but drafted the quarterback who would become the center of its next revolution.
After 1977
What came next
Coryell's spacing, motion and downfield aggression led the league in passing year after year and produced the Epic in Miami, though never a Super Bowl trip.
The core