Gillman, who earned an overall record of 87-57-6 as head coach of the Chargers from 1960-69 and ’71, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983. In 18 NFL seasons as head coach of the Chargers, Los Angeles Rams and Houston Oilers, Gillman amassed an overall record of 123-104-7.

The Chargers tabbed Gillman as their first head coach in team history on January 7, 1960. Building the fledgling team from the upstart American Football League was far from simple. Not only was he creating the team from scratch, he was also doing it in a league that was battling for survival against the popular NFL.

But Gillman’s expectations went beyond reputation, image and respect. The highly competitive mastermind wanted nothing less than perfection.

“Sid would tell us,” recalled quarterback Jack Kemp, “that we had to win all the games.”

During his time with the Chargers, Gillman won most of his battles. His 87-57-6 (.600) record is the best in franchise history. The highlight of Gillman’s tenure with the Chargers came when the team captured it’s only league championship with a 51-10 win over the Boston Patriots in the AFL Championship game on January 5, 1963 in San Diego’s Balboa Stadium.

Gillman’s lifelong passion for football showed in his priceless philosophy.

“For a coach,” Gillman would say, “there is a greater thrill in winning a football game than closing a million-dollar deal.”

Gillman was the driving force in the success of the AFL. He won five division crowns in the AFL’s first six years. He became the first coach to win divisional titles in both the AFL and NFL – where he produced one Western Division championship in five years (1955-59) with the Los Angeles Rams.

In 1963, Gillman provided San Diego with one of its fondest football memories. His talent-rich squad reeled off an 11-3 record, capped off with the 51-10 trouncing of the Patriots in the AFL Championship. For the first time, the town’s faithful fans were able to chant “World Champions!”

A master of the Xs and Os was Gillman, who strolled the sidelines sharply dressed with his patented bow-tie. His wide-open, high-flying offense made heroes of the likes of Lance Alworth, Paul Lowe, Keith Lincoln, John Hadl, Ron Mix and Gary Garrison. Alworth (1978) and Mix (1979) would later preceed Gillman into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Gillman helped mentor many great coaches, too, like Pittsburgh’s four-time Super Bowl championship coach Chuck Noll, who worked with the defense on Gillman’s staff.

The Chargers recognized Gillman’s wide-spread impact by receiving him into their Hall of Fame in 1985.

Even today Gillman is considered the pioneer of the passing game. The highly successful West Coast Offense, which helped San Francisco, Green Bay and St. Louis collect recent Super Bowl titles, stems from his principles.

Gillman’s football roots began with Ohio State, where he was a three-time honorable mention All-American at defensive end. He remained at Ohio State as a coach, staying at the college level for a total of 20 years. He had little trouble making the jump to the professional ranks, where he directed the Rams, Chargers and Oilers.

Although the retired Gillman was not officially involved with any franchise in recent years, he still received numerous phone calls from present day coaches and administrators. Often times he could be found in his home watching video tapes of current NFL teams.

On thing is for certain; Sid Gillman was always a coach.

“It’s a disease,” Gillman once said. “…It never gets out of your blood.”

Gillman is survived by his wife Esther; three daughters, Lyle, Bobbie and Terry; one son, Tom; and six grandchildren.

From everyone here at the Chargers, our thoughts and prayers go out to Sid and his family. We’ll miss you, Coach.

Courtesy of San Diego Chargers