Brandon Staley is gone and so is General Manager Tom Telesco after the Chargers historical 63-21 defeat to the Raiders in Las Vegas on Thursday Night Football.
Critics have been calling for Staley’s ouster since the tail end of the 2022-23 season when his decisions resulted in the injuries to starters Mike Williams and Kenneth Murray Jr. and then after the Bolts blew a 27 point lead and lost a first round playoff game to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Some question what took Owner and Chairman of the Board Dean Spanos so long to come to a decision that could have waited just three more weeks.
Bottom line is the Chargers still will be paying Staley and Telesco while they turn to one of the inept assistant coaches who are more unqualified to become a head coach than Staley proved to be.
Staley was embarrassed by a coach Antonio Pierce who’s head coaching experience prior to the Raiders was Long Beach Poly High School.
The harsh reality is that neither Telesco nor Staley should have ever been hired in the first place so the ownership have only themselves to blame.
“These decisions are never easy, nor are they something I take lightly — especially when you consider the number of people they impact,” read Spanos’ statement. “We are clearly not where we expect to be, however, and we need new vision. 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.”
“I want to thank Tom and Brandon for their hard work, dedication and professionalism, and wish both them and their great families nothing but the best,” Spanos said. “These decisions are never easy, nor are they something I take lightly — especially when you consider the number of people they impact. We are clearly not where we expect to be, however, and we need new vision. 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. Building and maintaining a championship-caliber program remains our ultimate goal. And reimagining how we achieve that goal begins today.”
Even before the Chargers can appoint interims to both positions the rumors are already swirling as to who should be the next head coach.
The usual suspects are all being suggested such as Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson,
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and former Cowboys coach Jason Garrett to name a few.
Only one of the men suggested is not currently coaching team and that’s Jason Garrett who would be an upgrade over Staley and probably will not cost a lot of money.
I would be careful with Johnson and I think the Patriots Way and Bill Belichick is old news. His style has passed his time with this new generation of players, and if you just look at the lack of success of his assistants it is clear to see that because it worked in New England doesn’t mean it will work elsewhere.
Harbaugh is a name that has been floated frequently the past two years, but he wasn’t hired last year by any team and so I would be cautious about forking over a boatload of money and control to him.
Perhaps it’s time to look within the Chargers alumni vault for answers, because regardless how we got here this next hire has to work or else.
