In the midst of a 5-9 season, and one day after a 63-21 humiliation at the hands of the Las Vegas Raiders in which his players seemed to all bit give up at times, the Los Angeles Chargers have fired head coach Brandon Staley. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network had the news, along with the fact that the team has also fired general manager Tom Telesco.
The team confirmed the news.
we have parted ways with Head Coach Brandon Staley and General Manager Tom Telesco
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 15, 2023
Staley finishes his nearly three-year term with a 24-24 record, and an 0-1 mark in the postseason. The 2023 campaign was a particular disappointment, coming as it did with multiple injuries (most notably to quarterback Justin Herbert), and a defense that never could get out of its own way. Not great when Staley got the job in the first place because he was regarded as one of the NFL’s better defensive minds.
Telesco had been the team’s general manager since 2013, and the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers posted an 84-92 regular-season record, with a 2-3 postseason mark, during his tenure.
“I know what I’ve done here for three years, and I know what I’ve put into this,” Staley said after the Raiders game, when asked if he thought he should keep his job. “I know what we’re capable of. I know the type of coach that I am, and I believe in myself. But again, this isn’t about me. This is about a group that’s hurting in there. We got to get some rest and we have to get ready for Buffalo.”
The Chargers are on to welcoming the Buffalo Bills to their home turf, but neither Staley nor Telesco will be.