Chargers hearth Brandon Staley | Yardbarker

The Los Angeles Chargers didn’t waste any time in cleansing home following an embarrassing 63-21 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday evening, firing head coach Brandon Staley and basic supervisor Tom Telesco. Change has appeared inevitable for fairly some time with the Chargers, and Thursday’s recreation was apparently sufficient too pressure possession to start out making it. 

Regardless that Staley did a poor job in his three seasons, he’s solely a small symptom of the group’s total issues. All of it begins with possession, and all eyes are going to be on Dean Spanos to do one thing that hasn’t occurred with the Chargers in a long time — making the appropriate choices within the hiring of a coach and basic supervisor. 

An important factor will probably be discovering a coach who can maximize the prime years of quarterback Justin Herbert. Let’s check out some potential choices and rank a number of the candidates that might be in line to take over. 

1. Ben Johnson, OC, Detroit Lions. Johnson checks the entire containers for a group just like the Chargers. He’s younger, is an offensive coach and has spent the previous two years constructing a top-10 in offense in Detroit round Jared Goff. Think about what he may do with any person as proficient and gifted as Justin Herbert. 

2. Brian Johnson, OC, Philadelphia Eagles. One other younger offensive-minded coach who ought to get critical curiosity. He has confronted some criticism for his play-calling in Philadelphia this season, however the Eagles offense stays the most effective within the NFL and he has performed an enormous position in creating Jalen Hurts in his roles as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. 

3. Eric Bieniemy, OC, Washington Commanders. This will probably be one other head teaching cycle the place Bieniemy will little doubt be talked about as a head teaching candidate. He has helped Sam Howell turn out to be one of many passing yardage leaders within the NFL and has a powerful observe file as an OC. However he retains getting handed over for jobs, and he additionally is likely to be the in-house candidate to take over if the Commanders hearth Ron Rivera. 

4. Jim Harbaugh, HC, Michigan Wolverines. NFL groups ought to usually be cautious of faculty coaches given how poorly so lots of them do, however Harbaugh has an NFL background and really took a group (San Francisco) to the Tremendous Bowl. Michigan is attempting to increase his contract, which may throw a wrinkle into any potential plan. 

5. Mike Tomlin, HC, Pittsburgh Steelers. Let’s get daring right here. This is able to require both the Steelers firing Tomlin (unlikely) or providing him up for a commerce (not going, however not less than doable). The Steelers and Tomlin is likely to be at some extent the place they each want a change, and though his background is on the defensive aspect of the ball he would instantly carry the Chargers one thing they’ve lacked for many years — credibility. 

6. Lou Anarumo, DC, Cincinnati Bengals. Sure, the Chargers must get probably the most out of Herbert. However additionally they must do one thing a couple of protection that has been one of many worst within the NFL for years. Anarumo is a extremely revered defensive coordinator who may carry a contemporary strategy. The Bengals protection has dissatisfied this season, however it’s coping with a younger secondary and loads of accidents. 

7. Kellen Moore, OC, Los Angeles Chargers. Moore has been a rising star within the assistant teaching ranks for a few years and was speculated to make an enormous distinction when he took over because the offensive coordinator for the Chargers this season. He’s nonetheless extremely considered, however being an in-house candidate and the shortage of progress the offense ought to in all probability knock him down the candidate record. 

8. Lincoln Riley, HC, USC. Riley is a highly-thought-of offensive mastermind and play-caller within the school ranks, and NFL hypothesis has adopted him for a couple of years. He can by no means be completely dismissed as an choice. However school coaches are likely to fail spectacularly within the NFL and Riley has had some large points in school with teaching in large video games the place he doesn’t have a transparent expertise benefit on the sector. All of these needs to be large pink flags for an NFL group contemplating him.