Gilbride Dressed and Ready

Kevin Gilbride quickly found out what San Diego’s going to be like.

For starters, Gilbride duly noted that he was one of the few people who bothered to wear a coat and tie to the news conference introducing him as the Chargers’ new head coach. And it wasn’t long before someone mentioned how short the grace period will be as Gilbride follows the reign of the popular Bobby Ross.

“I think Bobby Ross’ success and his popularity is obviously well-deserved,” Gilbride said Sunday afternoon. “It’s nice to know that he is that well received by the fans out here, and certainly taking them to the playoffs as he did is a great tribute to him.

“The important point is not what has happened previously, whose shoes am I filling, but what’s going to take place beginning this September,” Gilbride said. “Bottom line, the final analysis, I’ll be judged by the wins and losses, which is the way it should be.”

Quarterback Stan Humphries has yet to meet Gilbride, but is excited about what’s in store for the Chargers.

“After watching all the things in Houston and everything he did in Jacksonville, it looks like it’s going to be kind of a wide-open, exciting kind of offense,” Humphries said.

“I mean, heck, he might even have a shotgun in there. Since I’ve been in professional ball, I haven’t been in it. So it might be exciting to play in that.”