Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Doug Pederson is expected to hire an offensive coordinator and Jim Caldwell is among 10 coach who the Eagles should target
The Philadelphia Eagles have started their staff retool after it was reported that both Rich Scangarello and Marty Mornhinweg would not return in their roles in 2021.
Jeff McLane is reporting that Press Taylor’s future with the Eagles is uncertain as well while dropping the news that Philadelphia will finally add an official offensive coordinator to the staff.
Here are 10 potential play-callers for Doug Pederson’s staff.
Recapping Chargers general manager Tom Telesco’s Wednesday press conference.
Chargers general manager Tom Telesco spoke to the media on Wednesday to express how he felt about the 2020 season, as well as his feelings after parting ways with Anthony Lynn and what the future might look like.
Telesco started his media availability by giving praise to Lynn.
“I truly feel he was the right coach for us in 2017. Anthony is a great football coach. He took us to the playoffs. His leadership was impeccable. He made me a better GM.”
The decision to get rid of Lynn came right after the season finale against the Chiefs.
Telesco was upset with how the season turned out. “I need to do a better job of getting this team over the hump,” Telesco said.
Despite the outcome, Telesco said that the team wasn’t “that bad.” He noted that L.A. was bottom third of the league in injuries and specifically mentioned safety Derwin James and center Mike Pouncey being out had some affect.
Speaking of James, Telesco was asked if the team will exercise his fifth-year option. “That would be the easiest decision this week,” Telesco said.
All eyes are on Los Angeles now as they look for their next head coach. “It starts with leadership. We are looking for a head coach; not an offensive or defensive coordinator,” Telesco said.
Telesco was asked if a coach they want is going to the Super Bowl and can’t come in until mid-February. He responded, “if he is the right guy you wait.”
The chances of a new coach wanting to build their staff from scratch are high. Telesco said the new coach will have full say of his coaching staff, though he will make some suggestions.
Looking ahead at the future of the Chargers, Telesco is excited. “When you look at our team we have a chance to ascend and ascend quickly. I understand the fan’s frustration. We have a core of players to build around.”
Telesco mentioned that a lot of improvements need to happen with the offensive line.
Even after acquiring tackle Bryan Bulaga and guard Trai Turner, the group was still underwhelming in 2020. Bulaga and Turner both played 10 and nine games, respectively. Tackle Sam Tevi, guard Forrest Lamp and center Dan Feeney are all stated to be free agents.
A lot is bound to happen as the Bolts look to have a quick turnaround season. Let the fun begin.
Anthony Lynn made his first public comments since being let go of by the Chargers.
Former Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn made his first public comments since being fired on Monday after four years at the helm.
Lynn released a statement, which was released via the team’s official Twitter account. He expressed gratitude to the players and staff, writing that “I’m grateful to our staff, coaches, players and everyone in the community who has been so supportive throughout my time with the organization.”
Below is the full statement:
In addition, the team released a heartfelt video montage to pay homage to Lynn.
thank you, coach. pic.twitter.com/tEFtBvktb6
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) January 5, 2021
Lynn finished with a 33-31 regular-season record during his time with the Chargers, winning 12 games in 2018. Los Angeles went 1-1 in postseason play.
L.A. has been steadily requesting interviews with candidates, as they are on the hunt to find his replacement.
If the Chargers want to step outside of the NFL, the Iowa State head coach is worthy of an interview.
The Chargers are approaching the double-digit mark of requested interviews for the head coaching vacancy.
For the most part, all of the candidates are coordinators in the NFL. However, there’s a proven college coach who is worthy of receiving a phone call for an interview with Los Angeles, with that being Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell.
Campbell was successful at Toledo, going 35-15 in five seasons. He took over Iowa State in 2016 and built the Cyclones into a threat over a five-year span. He guided the team to an 8-2 regular-season record in 2020 (most in the program), including a win over Oklahoma and a ranking as high as No. 6 before beating the No. 5 Oregon Ducks in the Fiesta Bowl just days ago.
I LOVE MATT CAMPBELL pic.twitter.com/0ucmGt5r6h
— OutCYde the Lines (@OutCYdetheLines) January 3, 2021
How a college coach will adjust to the NFL always makes some pause. There’s no question that Campbell knows how to build a program and a winning culture, which already makes him a good candidate. Matt Rhule left Baylor for the Panthers, where he brought reason to be optimistic in his first season.
Schematically for L.A., Campbell would be able to tailor-make an offense around quarterback Justin Herbert. Defensively, the Cyclones’ current defensive coordinator Jon Heacock would also make a ton of sense for the position with the Bolts, according to Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield.
Assuming that Heacock doesn’t take over as head coach, should Campbell make the leap, his “forward-thinking defensive schemes could be just what the NFL needs in 2021 and beyond,” Schofield notes.
Overall, I believe Campbell has all the tools as a leader and play-caller to excel at the next level and he should be in serious consideration for the Chargers’ head coaching job.
A new report says the Chargers have requested an interview with Eric Bieniemy.
Kansas City Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy has already completed interviews with two NFC teams in the Atlanta Falcons and the Detroit Lions.
Now an AFC West team that Bieniemy is very familiar with has requested an interview. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Los Angeles Chargers have requested an interview with Bieniemy. This comes a day after ownership fired former Chargers HC Anthony Lynn, who had been the head coach of the franchise since 2017.
Chiefs fans will be quick to dismiss the attempt by Los Angeles to lure away their OC for a head-coaching job, but Bieniemy does have ties to the area and the team. Bieniemy was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 1991 and played with them through 1994. He also grew up in Los Angeles county and played high school football in the area. He coached at UCLA before making his way to the NFL for the first time in Minnesota.
The #Chargers have requested an interview with #Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy, per source. The #Falcons, #Lions and #Jets are also expected to interview the prime candidate.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 5, 2021
Coaching in the AFC West since 2013, Bieniemy has a strong familiarity with the franchise and vice versa. He’s also seen what rookie QB Justin Herbert is capable of firsthand. This should be a strong option for Bieniemy as disheartening as it’d be for fans in Kansas City.
On the other hand, Fox 4 Kansas City Sports Anchor Harold R. Kuntz had some interesting statistics to offer if Bieniemy did happen to take the Chargers job.
If EB heads to a division rival, there’s this … Andy Reid is 14-6 against former members of his staff. 2-0 this season (Harbaugh/McDermott) https://t.co/jttO4ryYV8
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) January 5, 2021
Chiefs HC Andy Reid apparently has a winning record against his former assistant coaches, so that’d be a potential silver lining to this situation. Still, you’d hate to see Bieniemy go to a team within the division with a rising star at the quarterback position.
[listicle id=84729]
Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll set to interview for Los Angeles Chargers head coach position.
The Los Angeles Chargers are the second team on the board for Brian Daboll’s services.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Bolts requested permission from the Bills to interview the offensive coordinator as the search to find their next head coach began on Monday. Another former Bills offensive coordinator, Anthony Lynn, was fired as the Chargers head coach following the 2020 season.
In 2020, Lynn led the Bolts to a 7-9 record and oversaw rookie QB Justin Herbert’s development into a top prospect. That record also included a four-game winning streak to end the year. Evidently that was not enough to retain his job. Lynn signed a one-year extension this past offseason.
Lynn ends his four-year stint with the Chargers with a 33-31 regular-season record and a 1-1 postseason mark.
Daboll, a western New York native, has been tied to the Chargers’ opening because of Tom Telesco. The Los Angeles general manager is also a western New York native. Both attended St. Francis High School.
Daboll also oversaw the development of Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen in 2020.
As of Tuesday, the only other team to request permission from the Bills to interview Daboll was the Jets.
[lawrence-related id=75962,75954,75516,75936]
Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is the favorite to become the next coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.
(Update: 8:32 a.m.): Late on Tuesday evening news dropped which indicated that the Chargers had requested to interview Daboll.
At time of initial writing, the Bolts had not done so.
Details:
Previous coverage:
The Los Angeles Chargers got rid of one former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator on Monday. Despite a 33-31 record in four seasons, the Bolts fired Anthony Lynn.
While the search for his replacement has barely started… the won’t hold Sportsbooks back.
According to Chargers Wire, the opening favorite to become the Chargers’ next head coach is the guy that replaced Lynn in Buffalo eventually, Brian Daboll.
Daboll (+250) and Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady (+300) are the odds on favorite via SportsBetting.Ag, followed by Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy (+700) and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels (+700).
At this point, there has yet to be a report of the Chargers planning to interview Daboll. But to see that news drop in the near future won’t be very surprising. Daboll is likely the favorite because he has helped develop Buffalo QB Josh Allen into one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL and an MVP candidate in only Year 3 of his professional career.
Allen tallied 46 touchdowns this season and nearly 5,000 all purpose yards. The Chargers spot a roster highlighted by rookie quarterback Justin Herbert.
An old friend doesn’t hurt, too.
Tom Telesco is the Chargers general manager leading the search for their next coach. He’s a St. Francis High School graduate from western New York, as is Daboll.
As of early Tuesday, only the Jets have reportedly asked for permission to interview Daboll for their vacant head coaching gig
[lawrence-related id=75516,75936,75950,75891]
These three names are a good start to what should likely be a long, drawn-out process for the Chargers.
The Chargers fired coach Anthony Lynn on Monday morning and the team is off and running with their search to find his replacement.
Los Angeles has requested interviews with potential head coach candidates. And as of Monday afternoon, the team has put in requests for three possible candidates.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported earlier in the day that L.A. requested to interview Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Hours later, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Bolts requested to interview Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.
Finally, Sports Illustrated’s Michael Silver reported that the Chargers requested to interview Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.
Both Smith and Eberflus were mentioned in the list of candidates that Los Angeles might consider.
Staley coached the NFL’s top defense during the regular season, as Los Angeles allowed a league-best 18.5 points, 281.9 yards and 190.7 passing yards per game.
It’s expected that Los Angeles will interview 10-12 candidates. Expect plenty more candidates to pop up in the coming days and weeks.
Former Buffalo Bills coach Anthony Lynn fired by the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday.
The Chargers parted ways with head coach Anthony Lynn on Monday, according to Chargers Wire. Prior to joining Los Angeles ahead of the 2017 season, Lynn flew up the coaching ranks for with the Buffalo Bills in 2016.
Starting the 2016 season as Buffalo’s running backs coach, Lynn was promoted to offensive coordinator, replacing Greg Roman, and then was tabbed the Bills’ interim head coach following Rex Ryan’s dismissal. Lynn went on to interview for the Bills’ vacancy after the season, but Buffalo opted for current head coach Sean McDermott.
Lynn ends his four-year stint with the Chargers with a 33-31 regular-season record and a 1-1 postseason mark.
In 2020, Lynn led the Bolts to a 7-9 record and oversaw rookie QB Justin Herbert’s development into a top prospect. That record also included a four-game winning streak to end the year. Evidently that was not enough to retain his job.
Lynn signed a one-year extension this past offseason.
[lawrence-related id=75950,75891,75885,75925]
Change is coming for the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chargers won’t be so quick to hire someone to fill the head coaching vacancy.
According to NFL Media’s Jim Trotter, Los Angeles is expected to interview 10-12 candidates for their head coach job.
Trotter notes that owner Dean Spanos will be more involved in the hiring process. When Lynn was hired in 2017, he allowed his son, John and general manager Tom Telesco to oversee it while he was dealing with stadium situation.
The composition of the staff will be a vital factor with whoever they are set to hire. When Lynn was onboard, an issue was loyalty to his staff. He saw problems but was slow to make needed changes.
For example, the special teams unit was an ongoing problem dating back to the beginning of the 2020 season and Lynn didn’t make the personnel change of demoting coordinator George Stewart until the end of November.
L.A. will be looking for someone to continue to develop rookie sensation Justin Herbert. Along with that, the initial focus will be on someone who can oversee the team, not just one side of the ball or the other.
