Tag: Chargers coaching staff

Chargers interview Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey

The Chargers are in the process of filling the special teams coordinator vacancy.

After parting ways with Derius Swinton II, the Chargers are now in the process of filling the vacancy.

According to Orange County Register’s Gilbert Manzano, Los Angeles interviewed Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey for the same position.

Before joining New York in 2018, McGaughey had stints in the same role with the Jets (2014), 49ers (2015), and Panthers (2016-17).

Under McGaughey, the Giants ranked third in 2018, 17th in 2019, 12th in 2020, and 11th in 2021 in special teams DVOA.

Further, Carolina’s special teams ranked ninth in 2017.

3 candidates Chargers could consider to fill special teams coordinator vacancy

A look at some potential candidates, as the Chargers look to replace former special teams coordinator Derius Swinton II.

After just one season, the Chargers let go of special teams coordinator Derius Swinton II and assistant special teams coordinator Mayur Chaudhari.

Despite making strides during the season’s final stretch after the additions of returner Andre Roberts and kicker Dustin Hopkins, Los Angeles finished the season 28th in special teams EPA and DVOA.

Now, the search for their replacements begins. With that being said, here are four candidates that Brandon Staley could consider hiring.

Joe Judge

Before being relieved by the Giants as their head coach, Judge spent 2015-2019 with the Patriots as the special teams coordinator. Under Judge’s guidance, New England’s special teams ranked in the Top 10 in each of his five seasons as coordinator, according to Pro Football Focus. New England’s special teams was key in winning Super Bowl LIII, as the punt coverage team forced the Rams to start three of their drives inside their own 10-yard line. In 2019, the Patriots ranked first in average starting field position (32.7) and in opponent starting field position (25.1). They blocked two that were returned for touchdowns. New England never allowed a punt to be returned for 20+ yards.

Chris Tabor

Familiarity is a major factor when considering position vacancies, and Staley knows Tabor dating back to his time when he served as the Bears’ outside linebackers coach in 2018. Tabor is one of the more established special teams coordinators to the point where he’s being considered for a head coaching position (Panthers). But his resume speaks for itself, so it’s no surprise. The Bears ranked seventh in special teams EPA and DVOA. Chicago’s punt-return unit finished in the top 10 three of his four seasons with the team. Further, Chicago finished fourth in the NFL in punt-return average in 2021 (11.7 yards per return), 12th in kickoff-return average (23.1 yards) and they were one of just two teams with a punt return for a touchdown, with the other being the Rams.

Jeff Rodgers

Staley and Rodgers were a part of the Bears’ staff in 2017, the year the team tied for the most three special teams touchdowns (3). There are also some family ties as Jeff is the brother of Chargers defensive line coach, Jay Rodgers. Rodgers has 20 years of coaching experience under his belt, having spent time with the 49ers, Panthers, Broncos, Bears, and currently the Cardinals, as special teams coordinator and assistant head coach. After overtaking Arizona’s department in 2018, it ranked fifth after finishing 30th the year before. In 2019, kicker Zane Gonzalez ranked fourth in the NFL in both total points (127) and made fields (31) while punter Andy Lee ranked second in the NFL with a 47.8-yard punting average, according to the team’s website. The Cardinals ranked 12th in punt-return average (9.2) and 13th in kickoff-return defense (21.05) this season.

 

What Chargers’ Brandon Staley said at coaching staff introductory press conference

Chargers head coach Brandon Staley discussed the team’s new coaching staff.

The Chargers announced the team’s new coaching staff on Thursday.

Head coach Brandon Staley called the hiring process of his staff “a competitive experience.”

“Being able to put a whole staff together, it’s a great opportunity, but also a lot of responsibility that comes with it. I’m really proud of that,” Staley said.

Staley went after coaches with experience in successful systems in the NFL, including teams like the Rams, Packers, Saints and 49ers.

Character, capacity, ability to lead and teach, expertise in their field, and diversity were all mentioned when talking about core coaching traits he is looking for.

“Being able to build an evaluation process, building an offseason program, building our schemes. There’s so much work to be done, and that’s what we’re trying to get after right away,” Staley said about what he’s excited about.

Quarterback Justin Herbert is the future of the team and Staley said he wanted to surround him with some of the best minds in football.

The goal of assembling the offensive coaching staff was to provide their players with a staff that was “cutting edge,” adding they really wanted to get coaches from different backgrounds in order to create a unique offense.

On the other side of the ball, Staley mentioned some roles for a couple of key players.

Staley said Joey Bosa is going to be on the edge of their defense in a “playmaking role.” He said he’s got such a unique role that they can move him inside or outside, comparing his physical role to Aldon Smith and Khalil Mack.

Staley said Kenneth Murray is an off the ball linebacker who will continue to play behind the ball and will not be used on the edge.

Staley is ecstatic about the acquisition of new outside linebackers coach Jay Rodgers, calling him “superstar” and a future defensive coordinator in the NFL.

In regards to what he’s looking for in terms of the evaluation process for the draft, Staley said they’ll have certain traits they’ll look for, but they want their schemes to be flexible around good players.

Takeaways from new Chargers coaching staff

The Chargers coaching staff for the 2021 season is very well-rounded.

New Chargers head coach Brandon Staley introduced his first coaching staff on Thursday.

The staff is headed by the coordinators: Joe Lombardi on offense, Renaldo Hill on defense and Derius Swinton II on special teams.

Offense: Lombardi comes to Los Angeles with plenty of years working with quarterback Drew Brees. While his time as the offensive coordinator for the Lions was considered a bust, he has learned from his stint. The plan is to mesh with worked for quarterback Justin Herbert last year and what Lombardi picked up from Sean Payton when he was in New Orleans.

Passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Shane Day will also be vital to Herbert’s development after he had the luxury of learning under Pep Hamilton last season. Day coached under 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, so he brings some experience under his system, which has had success in years prior.

Improving the offensive line will be a key focal point heading into the new season, and the additions of Frank Smith and Shane Sarrett are already a plus. Smith has worked with members of the Raiders and Saints. Meanwhile, Sarrett was responsible of grooming players on the Steelers offensive line, all of whom boasted some of the league’s top offensive lines.

The group is very diverse. Aside from quarterbacks, Day has coached offensive lineman, tight ends in his time coaching in the NFL. Smith worked with tight ends during his time in Las Vegas, aiding in the development of All-Pro TE Darren Waller.

Defense: Even though Hill has the title of defensive coordinator under his name, Staley will be the one responsible for calling the defensive plays. Nonetheless, he will bring his expertise with defensive backs to the team and will have an input on game days while Staley calls plays.

Los Angeles goes into the season with the intentions of playing in a 3-4 defense. Hill said that they don’t want the defense to entice offenses to throw on them, noting the high level of QB play in the NFL, adding they can do that by always showing a Cover 2 shell and changing post-snap.

Defending the pass will be a vital, but stopping the run will be just as important. Run game coordinator/outside linebackers coach Jay Rodgers is a key addition. Rodgers was responsible of working with the Bears and Broncos, both of whom boasted some of the league’s top defensive lines.

The new positional coaches have had plenty of success in the past with their perspective teams. Linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite had an integral role with the Saints. Secondary coach Derrick Ansley has worked with the Raiders and at the collegiate level, specifically with Tennessee and Alabama, including star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Defensive line coach Giff Smith was a member who was retained. Smith has played a role in the stardom of edge defender Joey Bosa.

Special Teams: Like the offensive line, this will be another focal point after finishing last in the league in this department. Swinton comes with plenty of experience as a special teams coordinator. Staley said the goal is to try to model the game management method that he became familiar with he was with the Cardinals. Also brought on was Mayur Chaudhari, who had success during his time with the Falcons.

Chargers officially announce 2021 coaching staff

After nearly a month of work and preparation, Chargers head coach Brandon Staley has found his coaching staff.

After nearly a month of work and preparation, Chargers head coach Brandon Staley has found his coaching staff.

Los Angeles announced the additions of their staff this morning, headlined by offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill, passing game/quarterbacks coach Shane Day and special teams coordinator Derius Swinton II.

On the offensive side of the ball, run game coordinator/offensive line coach Frank Smith, running backs coach Derrick Foster, wide receivers coach Chris Beatty, tight ends coach Kevin Koger, assistant offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett, offensive assistant Dan Shamash, and offensive quality control coach Chandler Whitmer round out the group.

On the defensive side of the ball, run game coordinator/outside linebackers coach Jay Rodgers, defensive line coach Giff Smith, secondary coach Derrick Ansley, linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite, assistant secondary coach Tim Donatell, and defensive quality control coach Isaac Shewmaker make up the group.

Finally, the coaching staff is made up of assistant special teams coach Mayur Chaudhari, strength and conditioning coach Jonathan Brooks, director of sports performance Anthony Lomando, and coaching fellow John Timu.

Report: Chargers hiring Anthony Lomando as director of sports performance

The Chargers made a key hire.

The Chargers are hiring Anthony Lomando as their new director of sports performance, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

Lomando spent the past nine years with the Broncos as their assistant strength and conditioning coach.

Prior to that, he spent three seasons working on the strength and conditioning staff for the Jaguars.

Lomando also worked with the Qatar National and Olympic Soccer teams in 2007 and was responsible for preparing them for the World Cup and Olympic qualifying matches.

With Lomando’s expertise, the hope is that he will oversee a staff that provide elite training, while better protecting the players from injuries and helping them develop and perform at a higher level.

Report: Chargers hiring Anthony Lomando as director of sports performance

The Chargers made a key hire.

The Chargers are hiring Anthony Lomando as their new director of sports performance, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

Lomando spent the past nine years with the Broncos as their assistant strength and conditioning coach.

Prior to that, he spent three seasons working on the strength and conditioning staff for the Jaguars.

Lomando also worked with the Qatar National and Olympic Soccer teams in 2007 and was responsible for preparing them for the World Cup and Olympic qualifying matches.

With Lomando’s expertise, the hope is that he will oversee a staff that provide elite training, while better protecting the players from injuries and helping them develop and perform at a higher level.

Report: Chargers hiring Chris Beatty as wide receivers coach

The Los Angeles Chargers have a new wide receivers coach.

The Chargers’ coaching staff continues to take shape.

Los Angeles is hiring former University of Pittsburgh wide receivers coach Chris Beatty in the same position, according to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg.

Beatty worked with head coach Brandon Staley at Northern Illinois in 2007. He also reunites with recently hired defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill, who was a defensive backs coach at Pitt for three seasons.

This is the first time Beatty has coached at the NFL level. Before coming to Pitt, he was wide receivers coach, co-offensive coordinator and associate head coach at Maryland for three seasons. He was also an assistant at Virginia, Wisconsin, Illinois, Vanderbilt, West Virginia and Northern Illinois.

Beatty has coached the likes of Percy Harvin, Stedman Bailey, Tavon Austin and Jordan Matthews.

Chargers new defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill talks about defensive philosophy

On Wednesday, new Chargers defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill spoke to the media for the first time.

The Chargers hired former Broncos defensive backs coach Renaldo Hill as their new defensive coordinator.

Even though Hill has the title under his name, head coach Brandon Staley will be the one responsible for calling the defensive plays. Nonetheless, he’s still grateful to be able to bring his expertise with defensive backs to the team.

“I definitely will lean on Staley, and be able to sit back and learn. It still gives you that that growth opportunity,” Hill said. “I can move around and assert myself into the front seven, but also still have a footprint on the back end.”

After playing in the league as a safety for 10 years, Hill brings eight years of coaching experience, both at the collegiate and NFL level.

Hill and Staley coached together with the Broncos in 2019. Hill served as the defensive backs coach while Staley was the outside linebackers coach.

Hill will have an input on game days while Staley calls plays.

“We’ll definitely collaborate on those and come up with what’s best for the guys, but he’s always been open to listening and receiving ideas,” Hill said.

“Staley emphasizes all the time it is a collaboration of voices in the room, and everybody having their opinion in what this defense will look like. When you can listen to those other ideas, it makes everybody feel a part of what we’re doing, we’re having success.”

Los Angeles goes into the season with the intentions of playing in a 3-4 defense after spending the past four seasons under defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s 4-3 scheme. Even though they finished No. 10 in total defense, the unit was 25th in sacks and 22nd in takeaways.

Part of the reason why they had so many blown double-digit leads was because of their inability to affect the quarterback. Los Angeles only blitzed 6.1 times per game, which marked the least amount last season.

That will change this upcoming season.

“I believe you have to bring pressure in this league,” Hill said.

Hill said that they don’t want the defense to entice offenses to throw on them, noting the high level of QB play in the NFL, adding they can do that by always showing a Cover 2 shell and changing post-snap.

Hill mentioned four coaches who will be a part of defensive staff.

Former Tennessee defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley, Giff Smith, who has been the team’s defensive line coach for the past five seasons, former Rams linebackers coach Joe Barry and former Seahawks quality control coach Tom Donatell.

Report: Chargers hiring Renaldo Hill as defensive coordinator

Chargers head coach Brandon Staley’s staff is all coming together.

The Chargers have found their new defensive coordinator.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Los Angeles is hiring former Broncos defensive backs coach to serve as the team’s new defensive coordinator.

Hill replaces Gus Bradley, who recently joined Jon Gruden and the Raiders in the same role.

Hill played 10 seasons as a safety, entering the league in 2001 with the Cardinals. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Wyoming in 2012. After his time with the Cowboys, Hill served three seasons as the University of Pittsburgh’s defensive backs coach.

Hill broke into the NFL coaching ranks as an assistant defensive backs coach with the Dolphins in 2018.

Following his lone stint with Miami, Hill became the Broncos’ defensive backs coach in 2019. There, he helped Denver rank No. 11 in pass defense. That same season, safeties Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson were named second-team All-Pro.

This past season, the Broncos ranked No. 16 in that category. However, the secondary was hit with injuries to the majority of their starters and cornerback A.J. Bouye was suspended. On the bright side, Simmons was named to his Pro Bowl.

There’s some familiarity between Hill and head coach Brandon Staley, as the two spent the 2019 season together on Vic Fangio’s defensive staff with the Broncos.

Staley said that he would be the one calling the defensive plays, but Hill knows the defensive system and he has a good track record of developing players in the secondary.