SAN DIEGO -- One of the goals for any new coach is to create a winning culture that unites players under one accord.

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn believes hes accomplishing that task during offseason work at Chargers Park.

Under first-year strength coach John Lott, players were put through an arduous new conditioning program that focused on long-distance running, with the hope that the endurance training would lead to less injuries and better stamina at the end of games.

It was huge, Lynn said. If youre going to finish games in the fourth quarter, you have to be in shape. You and I both know it. It doesnt take talent to be in great shape. That can be a competitive advantage for us.

In addition, assistant coaches like defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and special-teams coordinator George Stewart have brought a new intensity and energy to the players they coach.

You can tell they really like one another, Lynn said. Its a competition, but you have veteran guys and the young guys. The young guys are standing out, working hard with veteran guys.

I like what were seeing from the team, chemistry-wise. I think thats why its so important were all here in the offseason and doing this together. Because when the season starts, you dont have time to build chemistry.

Unlike the other 31 NFL teams, the Chargers will be in the midst of relocating to Los Angeles once training camp starts at the end of July. After the teams mandatory minicamp from June 13-15 concludes, employees will pack up Chargers Park and begin the 100-mile move to Costa Mesa in Orange County.

The Chargers will hold training camp at Jack Hammett Sports Complex near Costa Mesa High School. Once training camp finishes at the end of August, the team plans to move into its new headquarters nearby.

The Chargers are also slated to play in the intimate 30,000-seat StubHub Center in Carson, California, for the next three seasons.

The transition to a new city could be a distraction for players. The Chargers only have to look at what happened last season to the Los Angeles Rams, who finished 4-12 and fired head coach Jeff Fisher near the end of the season.

Chargers players, however, believe the move a few hours north will not be an excuse for what happens on the field in 2017.

Im still a Charger, said cornerback Casey Hayward, who signed with the team as a free agent last offseason after spending his first four years in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers. Were still going to be in California, and in a great city in L.A. in the Orange County area, so you cant beat that. Were still going to be in sunny California, so I like it.

Lynn said the focus during minicamp next week will be fine-tuning what players have learned during offseason work.

We will continue our install, Lynn said. Well go back through it for the third time. Guys should own it, to be honest with you, next week. And they should play a little faster, a little more confident, but I still expect the same spirit, the same competition that you saw today.

Read more:
Chargers optimistic budding chemistry will lead to more wins in L.A. ... - ESPN (blog)