The 1992 San Diego Chargers season was the team's 33rd season, their 32nd in San Diego, and 23rd in the National Football League.
San Diego came into the season off the back of a 4–12 record in 1991, four consecutive losing records, and nine consecutive seasons without making the playoffs. Bobby Ross began his first season as the team's head coach, after having spent the previous five years as a college coach at Georgia Tech. After starting quarterback John Friesz was injured in preseason, the Chargers lost their first four regular season games while being outscored 95–29, but rallied behind replacement quarterback Stan Humphries and a strong defense that featured Pro Bowlers on the defensive line (Leslie O'Neal), at linebacker (Junior Seau), and in the defensive backfield (Gill Byrd). They finished 11–5, clinching the AFC West title and becoming the first NFL team to start 0–4 and still make the playoffs. , this feat has yet to be replicated.
During the regular season, the Chargers lost all four of their games against eventual playoff teams, though they did defeat Kansas City 17–0 at Jack Murphy Stadium in the Wild Card round. In the Divisional Playoffs, they were emphatically beaten by the Miami Dolphins, being eliminated by a 31–0 scoreline.
Offseason
Head coaching change
Dan Henning, the Chargers' head coach for the previous three seasons, was fired by general manager Bobby Beathard on December 23, 1991, the day after the Chargers completed a 4–12 campaign. Henning had gone 16–32 during his tenure; his entire staff of assistants were also dismissed.
On December 22, Beathard had denied rumours that Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Bobby Ross was already set to be installed as Henning's replacement. Nonetheless, Ross remained among the favorites for the role. On December 25, Georgia Tech won the Aloha Bowl by a single point; Ross interviewed for the Chargers job on December 30, and was unveiled as head coach on January 2, 1992. Ross' five-year stint in Georgia had seen the Yellow Jackets win a share of the National Championship in 1990. His accomplishments with the Chargers over the next five seasons included a Super Bowl appearance in 1994, and would earn him a place in their Hall of Fame.
Ross appointed Bill Arnsparger as defensive coordinator after Beathard arranged a meeting. Arnsparger, an NFL coach from 1964 to 1983, had been acting as the University of Florida's athletic director. In the early 70s, he had won two Super Bowls with Miami as a defensive coordinator, running their "No-Name" defense, and faced San Diego in the same role in the Epic in Miami a decade later. Arnsparger installed a 4–3 defense, a switch from the 3–4 alignment preferred by his predecessor Ron Lynn.
Other coaching appointees included numerous assistants Ross brought with him from Georgia Tech. Ralph Friedgen, who had also been with Ross in a prior job at Maryland, was installed as running game coordinator and tight ends coach; the post of offensive coordinator went unfilled until Friedgen was promoted to it two seasons later.
Departures
For the second consecutive year, the Chargers lost 11 players through Plan B free agency. These included Sam Seale, who had started every game at cornerback in 1991, defensive end George Hinkle, a starter in 13 games, and Kitrick Taylor, who had served as both a wide receiver and punt returner. Safety Anthony Shelton was injured during training camp, had shoulder surgery and missed the entire season, while H-Back Craig McEwen was waived; neither played in the NFL again.
An well-established name on the defensive line also departed, after failing to come to contract terms with the Chargers. Joe Phillips had been the Chargers' starting nose tackle the previous season, his fifth with the club. He was a holdout through training camp, asking either for more money or to be traded. On 9 September, he narrowly missed a final deadline to accept a two-year deal, and Beathard announced that negotiations were over. Phillips was released on September 21, and signed for the Chiefs.
Arrivals
On July 27, John Friesz ended a lengthy holdout, signing a two-year deal as the Chargers' starting quarterback. Twelve days later, he suffered a knee injury in the team's preseason opener after a late hit by Ken Harvey. Friesz required surgery for torn knee ligaments and was ruled out for the season, leaving journeyman Bob Gagliano as the only available quarterback with regular-season experience.