NFL: Each team’s greatest head coach in franchise history

Los Angeles Chargers: Sid Gillman (1960-69)

Back when the Los Angeles Chargers were founded, they hired head coach Sid Gillman. He was their coach when they started in Los Angeles and then moved with the team to San Diego in his second season. The former Los Angeles Rams coach had instant success, winning 10 games in his first season with the Bolts and 12 more the following season.

In 1963, he led them to an AFL Championship, which remains the only title in the team’s history. Overall, he was 86-53-6 but is remembered for more than just winning. Gillman is also considered one of the best offensive minds ever. He was praised as being one of the first coaches to use passing plays as a way to later setting up the run.

"“Sid may be one of the forgotten souls,” said Joe Horrigan, vice president of communications at the Pro Football Hall of Fame via ESPN.com. “He was such an innovator and had so many disciples, but too often he’s measured by wins and losses.” “He was, in the true sense of the word, an offensive genius. It’s a cliché, but in his case it applies. Fifty years ago, he was setting up the run by passing.”"

Gillman has also been credited with one of the best coaching trees of all time. Brilliant minds such as John Madden, Don Coryell, Al Davis, Chuck Noll and Bum Phillips are part of his tree. For his career, Gillman won 122 games but did most of his damage during his time with the Chargers.