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Chargers Will Aim For Big-Name Coach; Tough Personnel Decisions Coming
As NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported, the Chargers are just getting started with their search process after firing head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco on Dec. 15 and replacing them with Giff Smith and JoJo Wooden, respectively, on an interim basis.
The chance to work with quarterback Justin Herbert is a big selling point; the team also has a soon-to-open new practice facility and life in sunny southern California on its side. So, it's no surprise some of the biggest names in this cycle -- including Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson – have popped up in the rumor mill. But expect an extensive interview list for both the head coach and GM positions, searches that could potentially run simultaneously.
The new regime will have hard decisions to make on some of the team's marquee players: running back Austin Ekeler will be a free agent in March, while the likes of receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and pass rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack are all set to count large numbers against the cap in 2024. Competing in a division with Andy Reid and Sean Payton sitting in two of the four head coaching seats has never been tougher. But it's an attractive job nonetheless.
While the Chargers sometimes have been critiqued for frugality in the past, their president of football operations, John Spanos, the son of owner Dean Spanos, told reporters recently there will be “no limitations” on its search.
"I think these three weeks will be advantageous for us to strategize and then make sure we're ready," Spanos said.
The chance to work with quarterback Justin Herbert is a big selling point; the team also has a soon-to-open new practice facility and life in sunny southern California on its side. So, it's no surprise some of the biggest names in this cycle -- including Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson – have popped up in the rumor mill. But expect an extensive interview list for both the head coach and GM positions, searches that could potentially run simultaneously.
The new regime will have hard decisions to make on some of the team's marquee players: running back Austin Ekeler will be a free agent in March, while the likes of receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and pass rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack are all set to count large numbers against the cap in 2024. Competing in a division with Andy Reid and Sean Payton sitting in two of the four head coaching seats has never been tougher. But it's an attractive job nonetheless.
While the Chargers sometimes have been critiqued for frugality in the past, their president of football operations, John Spanos, the son of owner Dean Spanos, told reporters recently there will be “no limitations” on its search.
"I think these three weeks will be advantageous for us to strategize and then make sure we're ready," Spanos said.
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