The Chargers became the first NFL team to reach the playoffs after an 0-4 start by finishing 11-5. San Diego then shut out the Kansas City Chiefs 17-0 in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, only to fall to the Dolphins 31-0 in the Divisional Round. The following season the Chargers finished a disappointing 8-8, one game out of the playoffs. Despite the decline, the general manager and head coach were retained.

Can you name the years these events occurred in San Diego Chargers history? Three hints: A.J. Smith was not the general manager, Norv Turner was not the head coach and these two years preceded the Chargers only Super Bowl season.

The answers are 1992 and 1993 when the Chargers were led by general manager Bobby Beathard and head coach Bobby Ross. Eighteen years later team owner and president Dean Spanos has chosen to play the cards in his hand by making what amounts to an all-in bet for next season that Smith and Turner will repeat.

“Today, I announced A.J. Smith and Norv Turner will return as general manager and head coach,”Spanos said in a video message he sent to season ticket holders on Tuesday night. “I would like to let all of you, the fans, know I am 100 percent committed in doing whatever it takes to help these two individuals get us back to the playoffs and ultimately a Super Bowl.”

The decision to keep Smith and Turner is met with strong adverse reaction by Chargers fans because after finishing this season 8-8 the team has now missed the playoffs for two consecutive years. Additionally, San Diego has fallen further away from the Super Bowl in each year since they reached the AFC Championship game in 2007, Turner’s first season as head coach.

“Bottom line, I believe these two men give us the best chance to get back to the playoffs,” Spanos said on the team’s website. “A.J. Smith is the best man to improve our roster, and Norv Turner is the best man to lead that roster on the field.”

Within an hour of the announcement, Spanos explained his decision. He admitted he was aware there would be backlash from the fans and that he sought consultation when contemplating the future of Smith and Turner. “I have several friends who I respect their ability and their input,” Spanos said.“Ultimately, it was my decision.”

Fans are frustrated because they know holding these cards has often led to bad losses. Spanos conceded that neither Smith nor Turner have been perfect in their job performances. “I think some of the player personnel decisions that we made in 2007, ’08, and ’09 did not work out the way we had hoped,” Spanos said. “I think ’10 and ’11, at least from what I have seen may be better years.” Free Safety Eric Weddle (2007, round two) is the only Pro Bowl player Smith has drafted since Turner was hired.

Smith is responsible for letting several of the teams’ most talented players leave the organization without getting anything in return. RB Darren Sproles left as an unrestricted free agent this past offseason. He went on to the New Orleans Saints and set an NFL record with 2,696 all-purpose yards. “That is a decision that I put on A.J.” Spanos said. “I was supportive of it at the time. Obviously, you can go back to five or six decisions that we made were wrong.”

Smith has also taken a lot of heat for his reclusive nature. He seldom opens himself up for questions and quirks in his personality have led to fans and media disliking him. “He needs to improve in that area and he is going to,” Spanos said. “He knows what he has to do.”

The areas of game and clock management were specifically brought up regarding the shortcomings of Turner. Turner has failed many times in his efforts to help the Chargers win close games late in the fourth quarter. In fact, Turner has not put together a winning touchdown drive in the final possession of a game since Week 9 of the 2009 season. “I think that's an issue you have to look at,” Spanos said.

Spanos believes many fans are wrong in their perception of Turner. Turner has never led the Chargers to a losing season. “A lot of fans never really gave [Turner] a chance. I think it’s unfair. Albeit we have fallen off and we are in the middle right now, we are not the dreads of the league.”

The Chargers missed the playoffs this year because of a six game losing streak in the middle of the season. At that point, Spanos was probably leaning closer to firing Smith and Turner than retaining them. “I was pretty down,” Spanos confided.

The Chargers finished this season strongly (winning four of their first five), as they typically do under Turner, and Spanos was persuaded to keep his regime because of how hard the players played out the season. “There were teams in this league that just spiraled out of control at or near midseason and never came back.” Spanos said.

Spanos was also likely persuaded by public pleas from his marquee players to keep Turner. No player was more outspoken than quarterback Philip Rivers who believes Turner may have been saved by the Chargers win against the Raiders in the final game of the season last Sunday. “I think Oakland certainly helped,” Rivers said. “I have always felt that 7-9 is a big difference than 8-8.”

Spanos said he did not give Turner and Smith an ultimatum that the Chargers had to make the playoffs next season or they will no longer be employed by him a year from now. He did indicated there was unspoken understanding that would be the case. “The bottom line is you have to win to be successful here.” Spanos said.

Turner agreed in assessing his future job security. “I would expect that we have to (make the playoffs next season).”

The decision to keep Smith and Turner will likely lead to financial losses for Spanos in the near future because he will see a decline in season ticket holders. If the Chargers don’t make the playoffs next season, those losses could be catastrophic.

If this were a game of Texas Hold’em, clearly Spanos is not holding a pair of aces in Smith and Turner. At best he has a low pocket pair. Hopefully, this risky gamble will pay off.