Sports reporter

Elliott Teaford

Elliott Teaford covers the Los Angeles Chargers for the Orange County Register and the Southern California News Group. He covered the Anaheim Ducks for 19 seasons, including eight of the past 10 for SCNG. He covered their Stanley Cup championship team in 2006-07. He also covered the Lakers for five seasons, including their back-to-back NBA championships in 2008-09 and 2009-10, and the Clippers for one. He is a Long Beach State graduate.

Chargers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) intercepts a pass intended for Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the second half on Monday night in Las Vegas. The Chargers intercepted Raiders quarterback Geno Smith three times in a 20-9 win. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Chargers silence Raiders in AFC West showdown for 2-0 start

September 16, 2025 at 5:45 a.m.

Justin Herbert passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns and the Chargers intercept Raiders quarterback Geno Smith three times in a 20-9 win. All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack exits in the...

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, left, and new Las Vegas Raiders coach Pete Carroll have been squaring off for decades, at the college level and in the NFL. (Photos by The Associated Press and Getty Images)

Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh faces Raiders’ Pete Carroll in meeting of frenemies

September 11, 2025 at 5:41 a.m.

“It’s like looking in the mirror, savage warrior looking at savage warrior,” Harbaugh says of his respect for Carroll, who he has squared off with in college and the NFL.

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh speaks to reporters during a training camp practice on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in San Diego. The Chargers are practicing at USD for two days, which is where Harbaugh got his first head coaching job. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

For Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh, an emotional return to his coaching roots

July 23, 2025 at 10:04 a.m.

“Incredible,” Harbaugh says upon his return Tuesday to the University of San Diego, where he began his head coaching career in 2004. The team will practice there again Wednesday.

Running Back Najee Harris #22 of the Los Angeles Chargers during a Los Angeles Chargers workout at The Bolt in El Segundo on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)

Najee Harris likely set for Chargers’ non-football injury list after Antioch firework incident

July 17, 2025 at 7:59 a.m.

GM Joe Hortiz says it is too soon to know how long the new running back might be sidelined because of a superficial eye injury due to a fireworks mishap.

Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores, seen talking to the media June 13, 2023, in Detroit, has agreed to buy a 27% stake of the Chargers franchise. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

Chargers agree to sell stake in franchise to Pistons owner Tom Gores

September 30, 2024 at 5:48 a.m.

Gores agrees to purchase 27% of the team, including all of Dea Spanos Berberian's 24% stake, which will resolve a legal dispute among Spanos family members.

Chargers safety Derwin James has been suspended one game without pay by the NFL for repeated violations of rules intended to protect players’ health and safety. James has five unnecessary roughness penalties in his last 18 games, the most in the league by a defensive player. All five have involved blows to the head of an opponent with his shoulder or helmet, with a targeting of Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth during Sunday’s game considered the last straw by the league. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. suspended 1 game by NFL for illegal tackles

September 24, 2024 at 5:31 a.m.

James has been assessed five unnecessary roughing penalties in his past 18 games, including one during Sunday’s game against the Steelers.

New Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, shown in a photo from last month, on Monday denied any knowledge of or wrongdoing by the University of Michigan football staff while he was the head coach there. Harbaugh, hired by the Chargers in January, was one of seven members of the Wolverines program accused of NCAA violations. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh ‘unaware’ of violations at Michigan

August 6, 2024 at 5:20 a.m.

The NCAA accuses Harbaugh in a draft report of not cooperating with its investigation into the Wolverines’ program. Sherrone Moore, Harbaugh’s successor at Michigan, faces possible sanctions.

Shane Day, pictured with the Chargers in 2021, is returning to the team as quarterbacks coach on Jim Harbaugh’s staff. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Chargers announce Jim Harbaugh’s coaching staff for 2024 season

February 15, 2024 at 4:28 a.m.

Special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken and his assistant, Chris Gould, and defensive quality control coach Robert Muschamp are the only holdovers from the 2023 season.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh reacts during the press conference after defeating the Washington during the 2024 CFP national championship game Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Chargers to reportedly interview Jim Harbaugh next week

January 15, 2024 at 4:47 a.m.

The University of Michigan head coach is coming off a 15-0 season capped by a College Football Playoff national championship game victory over Washington

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco, shown in a file photo, has assembled a 2023 roster that has minimal changes from the 2022 squad that reached the playoffs. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Chargers’ 53-player roster has familiar look after they make their cuts

August 30, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.

Since the Chargers decided to run it back with a roster that finished with a 10-7 regular-season record last season, it stood to reason that Tuesday’s cuts to an NFL-mandated...

All Stories