Gilbride Hired to Add Some Punch to Chargers

SAN DIEGO — Kevin Gilbride joined some exclusive company Saturday when he was hired as coach of the San Diego Chargers.

The only other coaches hired by General Manager Bobby Beathard--Joe Gibbs at Washington in 1981 and Bobby Ross in San Diego five years ago--combined to reach five Super Bowls.

Gilbride, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive coordinator the last two years, accepted the Chargers’ offer of a five-year contract Friday night. He didn’t waver even though the St. Louis Rams stepped up their run at him with a 2 a.m. pitch to his agent.

“I thought the best move I could make was to go with the Chargers’ organization,” Gilbride said during a conference call from his home in Jacksonville. “The success they’ve had, the ability of Bobby Beathard, the support of the Spanos family, for me was the best fit. So it wasn’t that difficult of a decision at all.”

Beathard said Gilbride “absolutely” was the best person to try to get the Chargers back into the Super Bowl. It was only two seasons ago that they made their only Super Bowl appearance, a 49-26 loss to San Francisco.

“He’s a very, very progressive offensive coach,” Beathard said. “He’s had an outstanding track record wherever he’s been.”

While San Diego’s offense sputtered last season, Gilbride’s offense helped the Jaguars reach the AFC championship game in their second season. Quarterback Mark Brunell, tutored by Gilbride, threw for an NFL-high 4,367 yards, and the Jaguars were first in the NFL in passing offense and second in overall offense.

Before his success with the Jaguars, Gilbride’s most famous moment came in a 1993 Monday night game when Buddy Ryan threw a punch at him when both were on the Houston Oilers’ coaching staff.

Gilbride, 45, who would like to let that moment die, was asked about it Saturday.

“You mean when he threw and missed?” Gilbride said.

“I’m sorry it happened, but it wasn’t something that I precipitated and it’s not something I wish to really elaborate on right now.”

Coaching Changes

NFL teams that have changed coaches since the beginning of last season :

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TEAM FORMER NEW COACH Atlanta Falcons June Jones Vacant Cincinnati Bengals Dave Shula Bruce Coslet Detroit Lions Wayne Fontes Bobby Ross New Orleans Saints Jim Mora *Vacant New York Giants Dan Reeves Jim Fassel New York Jets Rich Kotite Vacant Oakland Raiders Mike White Vacant St. Louis Rams Rich Brooks Vacant San Diego Chargers Bobby Ross Kevin Gilbride San Francisco 49ers George Seifert Steve Mariucci

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* Rick Venturi is the interim coach .