Saunders, Chiefs Talk; Sevier May Go

SAN DIEGO —  On the day the Chargers named Dan Henning as his successor, former coach Al Saunders was closing in on a position as receivers coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Meanwhile, Wayne Sevier, the Chargers’ highly regarded special teams coach, spoke with Washington Coach Joe Gibbs about returning to fill the same position with the Redskins. And it appeared he would make that move official today.

Sources in Kansas City say the Chiefs probably will try to hire Saunders--perhaps today--though Marty Schottenheimer, the team’s new coach, refused to confirm it. Saunders has not spoken publicly to the media about anything football-related since the team fired him Dec. 19.

Sevier spoke several times Thursday with Gibbs and Steve Ortmayer, the Chargers’ director of football operations. Sevier, who was first with the Chargers in 1979-80, coached the Redskins’ special teams for four years before rejoining the Chargers in 1987.

Sevier has strong San Diego ties. He attended Sweetwater High School and was Don Coryell’s first quarterback at San Diego State in 1961.

But Sevier and Gibbs are close friends. And Sevier was miffed when Charger owner Alex Spanos didn’t grant him an interview during the Chargers’ lengthy head coaching search. All of Sevier’s interviews were with Steve Ortmayer, the Chargers’ director of football operations.

“I understand not getting the job,” Sevier said. “One of the prerequisites was head coaching experience in the NFL. I didn’t have that. My real disappointment is I didn’t get an interview in front of the owner. Nobody has explained that to me, and it hurt.”

Sevier, 47, said another factor that will weigh on his decision is his wife’s opinion. Barbara Sevier was Gibbs’ secretary in Washington, and much of her family is located near the nation’s capital.

Sevier said more than one other team has contacted him about job possibilities, but he said he wasn’t looking to go “any old place.”

About the Chargers’ decision, Sevier said, “Dan Henning is an excellent choice.”

Rumors placing Saunders on Schottenheimer’s staff have been circulating for weeks. But it wasn’t until Wednesday that he was spotted with Schottenheimer at the Chiefs’ facilities.

“Maybe the same thing that happened to Dan (Henning) will happen to Al,” said Sevier, referring to the two years Henning spent as an assistant in Washington (1987-88) after being fired after four years as head coach in Atlanta. “Sometimes the best thing to do is roll up your sleeves and get back into it (coaching) right away.”

Henning said Ron Lynn, the Charger defensive coordinator, will retain his post with the team, adding that Gunther Cunningham (defensive line coach) and Mike Haluchek (linebackers coach) “probably” will stay on as well.

The immediate status of offensive coordinator Jerry Rhome is uncertain. Henning said he wants to talk with Rhome, who was in Dallas Thursday at the home of his father. The two worked together under Gibbs in Washington in 1987. “Jerry and I had a good working relationship,” Henning said.