Overview

Harland James Svare (November 25, 1930 – April 4, 2020) was an American professional football player and coach best known for his time as a linebacker and as a head coach in the National Football League. Born in Clarkfield, Minnesota, Svare spent eight seasons on the field in the 1950s and early 1960s before moving into coaching roles. His career spanned two of the league's established franchises, the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants, and later included head-coaching stints with the Rams and the San Diego Chargers.

Playing career

As a professional linebacker, Svare played from 1953 through 1960. Linebackers are defensive players responsible for stopping the run, covering short passes and helping organize the defense; Svare's era emphasized toughness and versatility as teams relied on smaller rosters and two-way players less commonly than in earlier decades. He spent his playing years alternating between the Rams and the Giants, contributing on defense during the postwar growth of pro football.

Coaching and later career

After finishing his playing career, Svare transitioned into coaching. He served as the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams beginning with the 1962 season and continued through 1965. Several years later he returned to the sideline as the head coach of the San Diego Chargers from 1971 through 1973. As a coach he worked during a period of tactical evolution in the NFL, when teams were refining passing offenses and more specialized defensive schemes.

Legacy and significance

Svare's life in football illustrates a common path of mid-20th-century professionals who moved from playing into coaching. While not as widely celebrated as some contemporaries, he is remembered for his commitment to the teams he served and for representing the generation that helped professional football grow into a major American sport. His career touched both coasts and several distinct eras of the league.

Death and personal notes

Harland Svare died on April 4, 2020 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The reported immediate cause of death was respiratory arrest. He was 89 years old. Obituaries and remembrances noted both his years as a player and his later service as a head coach.

Notable facts

  • Svare's professional timeline covered playing (1953–1960) and head-coaching roles (Rams 1962–1965; Chargers 1971–1973).
  • He worked in an era when the NFL was expanding in popularity and tactical sophistication.
  • His career is often cited in histories of the Rams and Chargers as part of mid-century team development.

For further reading on teams, positions and the historical context of Svare's era, see additional resources and archives that cover the Rams, Giants, Chargers and league history in the 1950s–1970s.