Chargers Lose Games, Ortmayer Loses Job
SAN DIEGO — The Chargers announced Monday that Steve Ortmayer, director of football operations since January 1987, will not be offered a contract next season. Ortmayer cleaned out his office at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium and left at mid afternoon.
“Steve and I met today,” Charger Owner Alex Spanos said. “I want to thank him for the effort he has made to make the Chargers a stronger team. Our meeting was amicable, and we wish him well in future endeavors.”
Ortmayer, 45, could not be reached for comment.
There has been speculation throughout the season that Spanos was considering replacing Ortmayer with Bobby Beathard, former general manager of the Washington Redskins who left the Redskins at the conclusion of the 1988 season. Spanos said last May that he planned to “make an effort to hire” Beathard, and that he had discussed his intentions with Ortmayer.
Beathard, who owns a home in Leucadia, was with the Redskins for 10 years. During that time, Washington played in three Super Bowls and Beathard earned a reputation for having a keen eye for talent.
Sources have said Beathard may be reluctant to accept a position with the Chargers because of Spanos’ propensity to involve himself heavily with draft and trade decisions. Beathard, currently a once-a-week television commentator for NBC, could not be reached for comment.
Ortmayer, the director of football operations for the Raiders from 1978 through January of 1987, has had his share of peaks and valleys with the Chargers. In 1988, the Chargers’ first pick was Anthony Miller, now one of the top receivers in the AFC. Also drafted in ’88 was tackle David Richards, who has started all 31 games since.
This season’s draft picks included defensive end Burt Grossman (eighth selection), quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver (51) and running back Marion Butts (183). Grossman has added strength to the Chargers’ pass rush, Tolliver recently took the starting job from Jim McMahon and Butts rushed for a season-high 176 yards in Sunday’s 20-13 victory over Kansas City.
But if Ortmayer’s drafting was his strength, his trades were undoubtedly his undoing. He gambled and lost in trading for Chip Banks in 1987. Banks is now with Indianapolis. He sat out all of last season and was arrested four times on drug charges.
Several Charger players have expressed dissatisfaction over Ortmayer’s contract negotiations. Heading that list is running back Gary Anderson, who sat out this season because he could not come to terms with the Chargers. Anderson was the team’s MVP last season.
“I think he really dealt with me wrong at the beginning of the season,” said Anderson, in a telephone interview from his home in Tampa, Fla. “(Other Charger players) who have dealt with him in the past seem like they have had a hard time getting contracts also.”
Ortmayer was also responsible for trading all-pro offensive lineman Jim Lachey to the Raiders for Napoleon McCallum and offensive lineman John Clay. McCallum was cut in training camp this season. Clay will probably not play again because of a neck injury. Sources say that Spanos put pressure on Ortmayer before that trade, telling him he had 24 hours to do something with Lachey.
Certainly, the verdict is still not in on the trade for McMahon, who is now an $800,000-a-year backup and not exactly a gem from a public relations standpoint.
Charger Coach Dan Henning expressed regret at Ortmayer’s dismissal.
“I’m disappointed that Steve won’t be with us,” Henning said. “I’ve had an excellent relationship with him. I think he’s done a good job in the time that I’ve been here.
“I saw him handle the draft as well as it can be handled, and I think we had an outstanding draft. I’ve seen him put a great deal of time and effort into getting things where they ought to be. And I see the progress. But wins and losses . . . that’s what we have to do a better job of.”
Other Charger coaches had similar reactions.
“Surprised and very disappointed,” defensive coordinator Ron Lynn said. “I like Steve Ortmayer, and I think he’s done a great job. I think he’s been very supportive of what (the coaches) have been trying to do.”
Center/guard Dennis McKnight, the Chargers’ player representative, said the blame for the team’s 5-10 record cannot be piled entirely on Ortmayer’s shoulders.
“I know he took a lot of abuse about the trades, but I wasn’t of the belief that they were solely his decision,” McKnight said. “I’m sure Mr. Spanos gave the final OK. It’s hard to blame all those things that happened on one man. Mr. Spanos is a successful businessman, and I think he wants to win in the worst way.”
As player representative, McKnight had the opportunity to deal with Ortmayer on a regular basis.
“He was an OK guy to me,” McKnight said. “That’s a very high pressure job. Your head is on the block. You’ve got to win.”
In Ortmayer’s three seasons, the Chargers were 19-27 and made no playoff appearances. That starkly contrasts his tenure with the Raiders, who were in the playoffs five times during Ortmayer’s nine seasons, including two Super Bowl victories.
Others likely to be dismissed by the Chargers at the end of this season are Chet Franklin, the director of player personnel, and Les Miller, the director of college scouting. Both were hired by Ortmayer.
Staff writer Brian Hewitt also contributed to this story.
Charger Notes
Quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver is probable for Sunday’s season finale with the Denver Broncos with a contusion in the leg. Tackle Joel Patten (hand) is also probable.
