Harland Svare
Number65, 76, 84
PositionLinebacker
Birth dateNovember 15, 1930
Birth placeClarkfield, Minnesota, U.S.
Death dateApril 4, 2020 (aged 89)
Death placeSteamboat Springs, Colorado, U.S.
Height6 ft
Height in0
Weight lb214
High schoolNorth Kitsap
CollegeWashington State
Draftyear1953
Draftround17
Draftpick204
Pastteams
Pastcoaching
  • New York Giants (1960-)
    Defensive coordinator
  • Los Angeles Rams ()
    Head coach
  • New York Giants ()
    Defensive coordinator
  • Washington Redskins ()
    Defensive coordinator
  • San Diego Chargers ()
    Head coach
Pastexecutive
  • San Diego Chargers (1971-)
    General manager
Highlights
Statlabel 1Interceptions
Statvalue 19
Statlabel 2Fumble recoveries
Statvalue 25
Statlabel 3Total touchdowns
Statvalue 31
Statlabel 4Sacks
Statvalue 43.5
PfrSvarHa20
PfrcoachSvarHa0
PfrexecSvarHa0

Harland James Svare (November 25, 1930 – April 4, 2020)[1] was an American professional football player, coach and general manager. Svare was a linebacker who played eight seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL) from 1953 to 1960. He was the Rams head coach from midway the 1962 season through 1965, and the San Diego Chargers head coach from 1971 through 1973. He was general manager of the Chargers from 1971 to 1976.[1]

During the halftime intermission of a November 1972 game, Chargers owner Eugene V. Klein awarded Svare a five-year coaching contract, an unpopular decision; however, Svare voluntarily stepped down from the position during the following season.[2]

Head coaching record

TeamYearRegular seasonPostseason
WonLostTiesWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result
LA19620517th in NFL Western––––
LA19635906th in NFL Western––––
LA19645725th in NFL Western––––
LA196541007th in NFL Western––––
LA total14313––––
SD19712203rd in AFC West––––
SD19724914th in AFC West––––
SD19731614th in AFC West––––
SD total7172––––
Total21485––––

References

  1. ^ Goldstein, Richard (April 27, 2020). "Harland Svare, 89, Giants Linebacker and Young Head Coach, Dies". The New York Times. Archived April 28, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  2. ^ Magee, Jerry (August 28, 1984). "As Klein Passes on Chargers, Era Ends in San Diego: Whether Right or Wrong, he 'Ran the Show'". The San Diego Union. p. FOOTBALL. Often, though, history's lesson is that Klein has moved too hastily, as he did in November 1972 when he awarded a new five-year coaching contract to Harland Svare at halftime of a game...That decision signaled the most raucous period the Chargers have experienced. Angry cries of "Five more years!" were heard in Mission Valley until Svare stepped down as coach a year later.