Coach Brandon Staley and common supervisor Tom Telesco had been fired by the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday morning after one of many worst losses in franchise historical past.
The Chargers made the playoffs final season however are one in all this yr’s greatest disappointments at 5-9, with losses in 5 of their final six video games. They dropped into final place within the AFC West after Thursday evening’s 63-21 loss at Las Vegas.
It was essentially the most factors allowed in franchise historical past and the 42-level margin was the third-worst.
The franchise didn’t instantly announce who the interim coach and common supervisor might be. Los Angeles’ subsequent recreation is in opposition to Buffalo on Dec. 23.
Owner Dean Spanos thanked Staley and Telesco in a press release for his or her arduous work, dedication and professionalism, however he didn’t mince phrases on in why the transfer was made with three video games remaining within the common season.
“Doing nothing in the name of continuity was not a risk I was willing to take. Our fans have stood strong through so many ups and downs and close games. They deserve more. Frankly, they’ve earned more,” he mentioned.
Staley — who had an general document of 24-25 — is the third NFL coach to be fired this season, becoming a member of Josh McDaniels of the Raiders and Carolina’s Frank Reich.
It is the primary time since 1998 that the Chargers have made an in-season teaching transfer.
Telesco had been the final supervisor since 2013. The group solely made three playoff appearances beneath his tenure and had been 86-95 general.
When the Chargers fell behind 42-0 late within the second quarter, some thought the transfer ought to have occurred at halftime.
“Brandon Staley. I hate to say this because you don’t ever want to call for somebody’s job, but they should fire him. They should make history. They should fire him at halftime,” Amazon Prime Video analyst Richard Sherman mentioned. “We’ve got an Uber X carpool outside and we’ll send you on your way because right now, I’ve never seen a team come out this uninspired.”
While Staley had been assured about his job safety prior to now, Thursday evening’s titanic defeat had him questioning his future. He mentioned “I don’t know” when requested if he would nonetheless be main the Chargers on Friday.
However, Staley wasn’t missing in confidence and mentioned he ought to stay in cost.
“I know what I’ve done here for three years, and I know what I’ve put into this. I know what we’re capable of. I know the type of coach that I am, and I believe in myself,” he mentioned.
Staley’s questionable late-recreation selections and aggressive go for it strategy on fourth downs drew many critics. The Chargers had been 6-12 in video games determined by three factors or much less, together with 0-5 this season.
The defining recreation of Staley’s tenure would be the 2022 AFC Wild-Card spherical recreation at Jacksonville, when the Chargers had a 27-0 lead late within the second quarter solely to see the Jaguars rally for a 31-30 victory.
Staley was employed in January 2021 after one season because the Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator. The Rams had been the league’s prime-ranked protection throughout his tenure, however the Chargers by no means got here near matching that beneath Staley’s management.
The Chargers are on tempo to complete twentieth or decrease in complete protection three straight seasons for the primary time since 1986. They are presently ranked twenty ninth after ending twentieth final yr and twenty third in 2021.
Staley introduced in Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator through the offseason, however the unit regressed through the season. The offensive line struggled after heart Corey Linsley’s yr ended after three video games due to a coronary heart difficulty and the working recreation remained inconsistent.
Quarterback Justin Herbert, who signed a $252 million, 5-yr contract extension through the offseason, suffered a pair of finger accidents. His season ended through the second quarter of final Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Denver Broncos when he broke the index finger on his proper hand and had surgical procedure two days later.
All three of Telesco’s hires had been first-time head coaches. They all adopted an analogous sample of success the primary two years adopted by large regression after that.
Mike McCoy led the Bolts to the playoffs in 2013 and had 9-7 information in every of his first two years, solely to be adopted by 5-11 in 2015 and 4-12 one season later.
Anthony Lynn was 9-7 in his first yr earlier than tying for the AFC’s finest document at 12-4 in 2018. The Chargers had been 5-11 in 2019 and seven-9 in 2020.
Staley was the defensive coordinator at John Carroll, a Division III faculty in Cleveland, earlier than being employed as linebackers coach in Chicago in 2017. He spent two seasons with the Bears earlier than going to Denver in 2019 when Vic Fangio was employed as coach.
Telesco hit on most of his first-spherical picks, together with Herbert (2020), edge rusher Joey Bosa (2016), extensive receiver Mike Williams (2017) and security Derwin James (2018). But he re-signed solely 4 of his authentic draft picks from the second by means of seventh rounds.
Telesco additionally struggled all through his tenure to construct roster depth, particularly on a group regularly beset by accidents.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
