Former Chargers DB and Hall of Fame Coach Dick Farley Dies at 79

Farley played for the Chargers before becoming a legendary college football coach.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:28am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the silhouette of a football player in motion, broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conceptually representing the multifaceted legacy of Dick Farley's career.The cubist deconstruction of a former NFL player's legacy captures the multifaceted impact of Dick Farley's storied career as both a defensive back and legendary college football coach.San Diego Today

Dick Farley, a former defensive back for the San Diego Chargers who later had a Hall of Fame coaching career, has died at the age of 79. Farley played for the Chargers in 1970 and 1971 before transitioning to coaching, where he became a legendary figure in college football.

Why it matters

Farley's passing marks the end of an era for the Chargers franchise and college football. As a player, he was part of the Chargers' secondary during a transitional period for the team. As a coach, he built several successful college programs and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

The details

Farley played defensive back for the Chargers in 1970 and 1971 before embarking on a coaching career that spanned over four decades. He went on to become the head coach at several colleges, including Fordham University, where he led the team to unprecedented success and was named ACC Network Analyst. Farley was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his coaching accomplishments.

  • Farley played for the Chargers in 1970 and 1971.
  • Farley passed away on April 3, 2026.

The players

Dick Farley

A former defensive back who played for the San Diego Chargers and later became a Hall of Fame college football coach.

Dave Clawson

The former head coach at Fordham University and current ACC Network analyst who announced the news of Farley's passing.

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What they’re saying

“Heartbroken today over the loss of my coach and mentor who became a close friend,”

— Dave Clawson, Former Fordham Coach and ACC Network Analyst

The takeaway

Farley's legacy as both a player and coach will be remembered fondly by those who knew him and the teams and programs he was a part of. His induction into the College Football Hall of Fame is a testament to the impact he had on the sport over his long and successful career.