<Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The history of the San Diego Chargers begins in 1959 with the foundation of the professional American football team (now known as the Los Angeles Chargers) when it was made a charter member of the American Football League (AFL). The team played the 1960 season in Los Angeles and moved to San Diego the following year, where they played from 1961 until 2016 . In 2017 when the Chargers moved their practice facility to Orange County, the Chargers removed all references to the city of San Diego from their website and merchandise . The Chargers returned to Los Angeles in 2017 . </P> <P> In 1959, the team began as the "Los Angeles Chargers" when they entered the American Football League (AFL), joining seven other teams: the Denver Broncos, Dallas Texans, Oakland Raiders, New York Titans, Houston Oilers, Buffalo Bills, and Boston Patriots . The Chargers' first owner was Barron Hilton, the son of Conrad Hilton, founder of the Hilton Hotels corporation . Barron Hilton held a contest to find a name for his team . The prize was a trip to Mexico . A man from Hollywood named Gerald Courtney, submitted the name "Chargers" and won . Conrad Hilton said, "I liked (the name) because they were yelling "charge" and sounding the bugle at Dodger Stadium and at USC games ". </P> <P> The team's first general manager was Frank Leahy, a former University of Notre Dame football coach . The team's first head coach was Sid Gillman from the Los Angeles Rams . His strength lay in offense innovation and he was later honoured in the Hall of Fame . Gillman (87 - 57 - 6) signed a contract with the team for three years . When Frank Leahy resigned due to poor health, Gillman became the general manager in addition to his coaching role . </P>

Where did san diego chargers get their name