Cameron named offensive coordinator

Wednesday, Feb 20, 2002
By David Neville, Chargers.com

This will be Cameron’s second stint in the NFL. From 1994-96 he served as the quarterbacks’ coach for the Washington Redskins under then Head Coach Norv Turner, who spent last year as the Chargers’ offensive coordinator. Because of his previous association with Turner, Cameron is expected to keep the basic framework of Turner’s offensive scheme in place with the Chargers.

“It’s obviously a plus from the standpoint that it gives me an opportunity to come in here and know what these guys already know because I’m familiar with the offense,” said Cameron. “I can go through as I’m watching the tape and know what Doug Flutie knows, know what Curtis Conway knows, and know what LaDainian Tomlinson knows.”

“Are we going to do exactly what they’ve done before? No, but it’s going to be similar,” continued Cameron. “I think the biggest plus is the fact that I can look at what they already know and we can build from their knowledge base. I can learn some new things based on some of the things that they have done.”

“I was very impressed with his understanding of offensive schemes, particularly the way he designs things to attack a defense,” said Schottenheimer. “It was his knowledge and understanding of offense and particularly his ability to find a means to attack defenses, especially in the passing game. (His understanding of the Chargers’ current offense) wasn’t the ultimate thing that made the decision, but certainly the fact that we can make a seamless transition offensively will be good for our football team.

“The other thing that really impressed me is that I had a sense that there is a real spirit and a passion about what he does. I think that is very important. He brings a lot of energy.”

“I was very fortunate to work for 10 years for Bo Schembechler, and it’s a great feeling to work for someone like Marty Schottenheimer, for a guy who has won in this league and a guy that knows how to win. I’m looking forward to it,” said Cameron. “I’ve always respected Marty Schottenheimer. When I was in Washington and we played Kansas City, they were tough. I’m glad to be a part of his coaching staff.”

While the offense under Cameron will not be a carbon copy of last year’s scheme, the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator has a clear overall vision of what kind of offense he wants to run.

“You have to be balanced, and the personnel that we have here gives us an opportunity to do that,” said Cameron. “There are going to be times when we want to run the football. Then other times you have to have the personnel to throw the football, especially in critical situations.”

“The ultimate thing that is going to determine what our offense becomes is going to be our personnel,” added Cameron. “Right now, we don’t know what all those pieces are. Whether it’s through the draft or free agency, or with the current guys that are already here, our offense will start to move in the direction of what we do best. So in an overall sense, it’s going to be ‘What can we do the best to move the football and score points?’ 

“Throughout the course of a season you would like to be able to look back and say that you were balanced, where you have the ability to run the ball on people at times and are able to throw the football when you need to. We’re going to do what our personnel allows us to do.”

Cameron is joining the Chargers after spending the past five seasons (1997-2001) as the head coach at Indiana University, where he had a record of 18-37. In 2001, the Hoosiers finished with a 5-6 record, including 4-4 in the Big Ten Conference, Cameron’s best mark at the school. The 2001 ledger included impressive wins over Wisconsin, Michigan State and rival Purdue. Under Cameron’s direction, the Hoosiers featured the nation’s fourth-ranked rushing offense (269.5 yards per game) and were ranked 19th nationally in total offense (435.3 yards per game).

Cameron helped develop Indiana quarterback Antwaan Randle El, a first-team All-America selection by the Football Writers Association of America in 2001. Randle El, the NCAA Division I-A rushing leader among quarterbacks, finished his career as the only player in major college football history to score 40 touchdowns and pass for 40 touchdowns. Randle El finished sixth in the 2001 Heisman Trophy voting. Indiana's offense in 2001 also featured senior running back Levron Williams, a unanimous first-team All-Big Ten selection.     

In 2000, the Hoosiers were also ranked among the nation’s offensive leaders, averaging 30.6 points and 439.5 yards of total offense per game. They led the Big Ten Conference with 266.4 yards per game rushing and the team’s average of 5.8 yards per carry ranked second nationally behind the University of Nebraska.

Prior to his arrival at Indiana, Cameron spent three seasons as the quarterbacks coach with the Redskins, serving under Norv Turner. In Washington, Cameron helped the Redskins improve dramatically as the team went from a 3-13 record in his first season to 9-7 just two years later. Cameron was largely credited with the development of quarterback Gus Frerotte, who was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1997.

Before hooking up with Turner in Washington, Cameron spent 10 seasons (1984-93) as an assistant coach at the University of Michigan. He spent the first two years in Ann Arbor serving as a graduate assistant before being elevated in 1986 to coach the Wolverines’ quarterbacks and wide receivers. During his 10 seasons at Michigan, the Wolverines captured six Big Ten Conference championships and played in 10 bowl games, including five Rose Bowls. While at Michigan, Cameron helped cultivate such NFL talents as Jim Harbaugh, Elvis Grbac, Desmond Howard, Derrick Alexander and Amani Toomer.

For Cameron, the move into coaching was a natural fit. His stepfather, Tom Harp, was the head coach at Cornell (1961-65), Duke (1966-70) and Indiana State (1973-77). Cameron and Harp have the unique distinction of each coaching a Heisman Trophy winner. Cameron coached Desmond Howard at Michigan and Harp was an assistant coach at West Point when Pete Dawkins claimed the trophy in 1958.

Before he moved into coaching, Cameron had a successful collegiate career as a two-sport letter winner in football and basketball at Indiana. He lettered two years at quarterback and three in basketball before a football knee injury in his senior year put an end to his playing career. He graduated from Indiana in 1983 with a degree in business.

Cam Cameron was born on February 6, 1961 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. While his stepfather coached at Indiana State, Cameron was a prep standout at South High School in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was an All-America selection in football as a senior and earned all-state honors twice and all-county honors three times. He was also named Vigo County’s Athlete of the Year in 1978 and 1979. Cameron led his team to three consecutive state basketball finals and in 1979 was named the recipient of the school’s prestigious Trester Award for mental attitude.

Cameron and his wife, Missy, have four children, including three sons, Tommy (Feb. 13, 1994), Danny (Dec. 21, 1995) and Christopher (April 17, 1998), and daughter, Elizabeth (Oct. 28, 2000).

“We’re excited to be here,” said Cameron. “I’ve been in the Holiday Bowl a couple of times, so I’ve been to San Diego. It’s exciting to be not only in the city of San Diego but also to be with a great organization like the San Diego Chargers. I’m looking forward to getting my family out here.”

Cameron joins a staff that already includes Bill Arnsparger (associate head coach-defense), Jerry Holmes (defensive backs), Hudson Houck (offensive line), Dale Lindsey (defensive coordinator), James Lofton (wide receivers), Greg Manusky (linebackers), Wayne Nunnely (defensive line), Joe Pascale (special projects), Dave Redding (strength and conditioning) and Brian Schottenheimer (quarterbacks).

Cam Cameron’s playing and coaching experience
1980-83 - Quarterback, Indiana University
1984-85 - Graduate
Assistant, University of Michigan
1986-93 - Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers, University of Michigan
1994-96 - Quarterbacks, Washington Redskins
1997-2001 - Head Coach, Indiana University