Tag: San Diego Chargers

Commanders hire veteran NFL assistant John Pagano as senior defensive assistant

The Commanders add a highly respected defensive assistant to Dan Quinn’s staff.

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn continues to add to his coaching staff. On Monday evening, Brent Allbright of KOA 850 AM in Denver reported that veteran NFL assistant John Pagano was heading to Washington.

When someone asked Allbright what role Pagano would serve, he said “probably” senior defensive assistant.

Pagano, 56, is the brother of former Colts head coach Chuck Pagano. He began his coaching career in college in 1989, with his first NFL opportunity coming in 1996.

Here is a look at Pagano’s list of coaching stops:

  • New Orleans Saints (1996-97): Defensive assistant
  • Indianapolis Colts (1998-01): Defensive assistant
  • San Diego Chargers (2002): Defensive assistant & defensive quality control coach
  • San Diego Chargers (2003): Assistant linebackers coach
  • San Diego Chargers (2004): Outside linebackers coach
  • San Diego Chargers (2005-11): Linebackers coach
  • San Diego Chargers (2012-16): Defensive coordinator
  • Oakland Raiders (2017-18): Assistant head coach & defensive coordinator
  • Houston Texans (2018-19): Senior defensive assistant & outside linebackers coach
  • Denver Broncos (2020-21): Outside linebackers coach

Pagano has a wealth of experience coaching multiple positions and as a two-time defensive coordinator. Per Allbright and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Pagano had multiple opportunities but chose Washington and Quinn.

Former Commanders HC Ron Rivera interviewed with L.A. Rams

Could Ron Rivera team up with Sean McVay in 2024?

Ron Rivera said last week he had contact with a few teams about coaching jobs.

News broke Monday that Washington’s most recent head coach is indeed in pursuit of the defensive coordinator role for the Los Angeles Rams.

Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported Monday morning that Rivera had interviewed over the weekend for the position.

The Rams recently lost Raheem Morris when he was named Falcons head coach. Looking to fill the defensive coordinator position, the Rams have thus far interviewed Rivera, Ravens defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson, Cowboys defensive line coach Aden Durde and former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley.

Rivera was a linebacker for the Chicago Bears (1984-1992), including the 1985 Super Bowl championship team.

Five years after retiring as a player, Rivera launched his coaching career with the Bears, becoming the defensive quality control coach (1997-98) on Dave Wannstedt’s staff.

Next, it was on to Philadelphia, as Andy Reid became the Eagles head coach, hiring Rivera to his staff as the linebackers coach (1999-2003).

Lovie Smith became the Bears’ head coach in 2004 and hired Rivera as defensive coordinator (2004-06). Led by LB Brian Urlacher, the 2006 Bears won the NFC before losing to the Colts in the Super Bowl.

Norv Turner took over as Chargers head coach in 2007, and Rivera was hired to coach the linebackers before moving up to the defensive coordinator (2008-2010).

At age 49 in 2011, Rivera began a nine-year run as Carolina Panthers head coach. He had three winning seasons, including going 15-1 on the way to Super Bowl 50 in the 2015 season. But with only three winning seasons total, Rivera was fired during the 2019 season by then-new owner David Tepper.

Four losing seasons followed with Washington as head coach and head of player personnel.

Rivera has 13 years as head coach under his belt. Though only three were winning seasons, Rams HC Sean McVay may be considering that Rivera’s overall breadth of experience could be of value to the Rams staff.

Chargers’ John Spanos after HC, GM firings: ‘Everything starts with ownership’

John Spanos spoke for the first time since the firings of Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco.

Chargers president of football operations and son of owner Dean Spanos, John Spanos, spoke for the first time since the firings of Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco.

“I think sometimes it’s maybe the misses that help you grow the most — that you can learn from the most,” Spanos said, per ESPN’s Kris Rhim. “And I think we always have to be pushing ourselves as an ownership to get better, to be better.”

Spanos said the team will have “no limitations” on the search for its next head coach and general manager.

Spanos dispelled the narrative that the organization is unwilling to spend money on coaches and executives.

“Going into this search, everything is a possibility,” Spanos said, per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper. “I can tell you that there have been no discussions internally about there being a max. We’re always going to do what’s in the best interest of the team.”

Spanos hired Telesco in 2013 and over those 11 seasons, the club brought in three head coaches: Mike McCoy, Anthony Lynn and Staley. The one thing they had in common was that they had no prior experience as head coaches, college or professional.

That could be different this time around, as Spanos said experience could be a factor in the coaching search.

“I don’t think it can be the end-all, but absolutely it will factor. That’s an added bonus if someone does have previous head coach experience,” Spanos said, per the Associated Press’ Joe Reedy.

The Bolts have appeared in the playoffs just three times over the past ten years, have not won the AFC West division since 2009, and last made the AFC championship game following the 2007 season.

“My opinion is everything starts with ownership. Ultimately, we’re responsible for everything. What we’ve been doing has not been good enough,” Spanos said.

Staley was at the helm for a multitude of in-game meltdowns, including the 27-point blown loss to the Jaguars in the playoffs last year. Despite many calling for Staley to be fired afterward, it was not in consideration.

“As disappointing as that (playoff) game was, I looked at the whole body of work and where we were. Despite the way it ended, the trajectory at that point was still going up,” Spanos said. “So I didn’t feel a change then was in the best interest of the team.”

Now, as the organization begins its search for the next general manager and head coach, there is one priority when factoring in whoever they bring in.

“Winning the Super Bowl is the ultimate goal,” Spanos said, “and every decision we make is with that in mind.”

Every Chargers head coach’s record in franchise history

Here is every Chargers head coach, from Sid Gillman to Brandon Staley.

In light of the Chargers firing Brandon Staley, here is a look at the team’s head coaching history and each of their records.

Chargers’ all-time Mount Rushmore: 4 best players in franchise history

Here are the four best players in Chargers franchise history.

Even though the Chargers don’t have any Lombardi Trophies in their trophy case, they have had a handful of legendary players come through the doors to help the team with successful seasons over the past 64 years.

That said, here are the four best players in the franchise’s history.

Who was Commanders AHC/OC Eric Bieniemy as a running back?

In his final NFL season, Bieniemy scored the game-winning touchdown against — Washington.

We all know Eric Bieniemy is the assistant coach/offensive coordinator, but who was Eric Bieniemy the player?

You might be interested to learn that Bobby Beathard after leaving the Washington Redskins general manager position, was in San Diego as the GM when he drafted a Colorado Buffaloes running back in the second round (39th overall), Eric Bieniemy.

Bieniemy, in his four seasons in Boulder as a Buffalo running back, enjoyed really big seasons in his sophomore and senior seasons. His 1987 freshman season saw Bieniemy gain 508 yards and five touchdowns in 104 rushing attempts for 4.9 yards per carry. He also caught ten passes for 186 yards (18.6) and one touchdown.

Bieniemy’s sophomore season was a breakout year as he rushed for 1,243 yards (5.7 YPC) and ten touchdowns.  In his junior year, injuries limited Bieniemy to only eight games while still averaging 6.4 yards per carry (88-561).

His senior year was spectacular, rushing for 1,628 yards on 288 carries (5.7 YPC). He led the nation in yards from scrimmage (1,787). Bieniemy was a consensus All-American, and he finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting (Ty Detmer, Raghib Ismail).

In the NFL, Bieniemy, after being drafted by the Chargers played for San Diego for four seasons (1991-94), the Bengals for four seasons (1995-98), finishing up with the Eagles in the 1999 season.

His highest NFL rushing total was only 381 yards (1995 with Cincinnati). Yet, Bieniemy did enjoy some good success catching the ball out of the backfield. In that same season, he collected 43 receptions for 424 yards 9.9 (yards per reception).

In the following three seasons, Bieniemy also caught 32, 31 and 27 receptions respectively. His career rushing numbers were 387 carries for 1,589 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns and 146 receptions for 1,223 yards.

So spending much time on special teams and catching the ball out of the backfield, Bieniemy was a competitive player who was good enough to last nine seasons in the NFL.

Incidentally, Bieniemy’s last NFL touchdown came against yes, the Washington Redskins in the 1999 game in Philadelphia. Washington led 28-27, but Bieniemy scored the go-ahead/winning touchdown with 3:38 remaining on his 11-yard touchdown run for a 35-28 Eagles victory.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Twitter reacts to former Chargers HC Don Coryell earning induction in Pro Football Hall of Fame

“Finally.” That is the best way to sum up the reaction to Don Coryell being added to the Pro Football Hall of Fame 

“Finally.” That is the best way to describe the reaction to Don Coryell being added to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

That was the prevailing sentiment on social media after it was announced that the great Chargers head coach was among those in the Class of 2023, announced during the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday night in Phoenix, AZ.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Great Kansas, Chargers quarterback John Hadl dies at 82

A great college and pro quarterback, John Hadl has died at the age of 82

John Hadl, one of the legends of the American Football League, died Wednesday at the age of 82.

Hadl played college football at Kansas.

 As a sophomore in 1959, in his first season of collegiate eligibility, Hadl led the NCAA in punting (45.6 yards per punt) and set KU records for the longest punt (94 yards, which still stands) and the longest interception return (98 yards, which stood until 2007).

…With Hadl running the offense, the Jayhawks were ranked in the top-20 his junior and senior years and finished the two-season span 14-5-2. He wrapped up his Kansas career leading his team to the program’s first-ever bowl victory, a 33-7 decision over Rice in the 1961 Bluebonnet Bowl.

His No. 21 is one of three Kansas football numbers to be retired (Gale Sayers No. 48 and Ray Evans No. 42).

His pro career was part of the high-flying Chargers teams of the early AFL.

Hadl played 11 seasons for San Diego before stints with the Rams, Packers, and Oilers. He wore an unusual number for a quarterback: 21, which made him unique.

Hadl was a backup on the Chargers’ 1963 AFL Championship team, He led the AFL in passing three times in his career.

He finished with 33,503 yards passing, 244 touchdown passes, and an 82-75-9 record as a starting QB. He was also the 1971 NFL Man of the Year.

1975 Flashback: Giants, Chargers play in Big Blue’s last untelevised game

Back in 1975 at Shea Stadium on a Saturday, the New York Giants and San Diego Chargers played in Big Blue’s last untelevised game.

The NFL is the most watched television franchise in the world right now, dominating the ratings every week. Networks are tripping over one another to acquire the rights to air games.

That was not always the case, however. For decades, the NFL had blackout rules that prevented local TV affiliates from airing games that didn’t sell a sufficient amount of tickets. Many games went untelevised in local markets. (Before that, in the 1960s, all NFL games were blacked out in the local TV markets.)

And then there were the cases where games were scheduled at odd times on odd days. Such was the case of the New York Giants-San Diego Chargers game on Saturday, Nov. 1, 1975.

To this day, it is the last Giants game that was not televised. I will allow the folks at Awful Announcing set the stage:

That year, the Giants shared Shea Stadium with the Jets as the team was awaiting construction on the old Meadowlands to be completed. While in transition, the Giants played at the Yale Bowl in New Haven, CT for two seasons and then moved to Shea in 1975 before playing in New Jersey in 1976.

Why was this particular game played on a Saturday? It was because Shea Stadium was the primary home to the New York Mets and old school Jets fans can remember the team playing on the road for most of the first month of the season until baseball season ended. So as the Giants and Jets both played at Shea in 1975 and knowing both couldn’t play at home on the same day, the NFL allowed the Giants to play home games on a few Saturdays. In this case, the Giants were home to the Chargers.

For games played outside the normal Sunday and Monday windows, the NFL allowed the teams to sell the rights so the Chargers and Giants could sell the game to local stations. However, no station in San Diego or New York were interested in picking up the game (again hard to believe) so it went untelevised. Had that happened today, CBS would have had the rights to the game and aired at least in the local markets.

Neither the Giants nor the Chargers could find an affiliate to air the game.

I do recall this happening, but as a teenager back then, I didn’t think much of it. The Giants were 2-4 and the Chargers were 0-6. Very few were clamoring to see this matchup between the dismal Giants, with Craig Morton at quarterback, and the Chargers, who had scored a total of just 37 points in their first six games with three shutouts.

If you owned a TV affiliate in the New York or Southern California market, would you pre-empt college football, “Wide World of Sports,” professional bowling or a low-budget horror movie for that? Probably not.

Nevertheless, the attendance was listed at 52,032, which is more likely to be tickets sold rather than butts in the seats. There’s no way to tell how many fans actually attended.

Keep in mind it was the 1970s and many people began to work on Saturdays — second jobs, overtime, etc. — as times were hard, especially in New York. Taking off to attend a football game was not really an option.

The Giants won the game, 35-24, by the way. No one cared then. Fewer care now.

[lawrence-related id=700519,700510,700512]

[listicle id=700483]

Seahawks at Chargers: Week 7 preview and prediction

Seattle is winless at SoFi Stadium. Will this change on Sunday?

[sendtonews_embed video_id=”mdyxc4OI96-2309058-7498″]

The Seattle Seahawks will once again look to climb above the .500 mark with a win on Sunday. To do so, they will have to defeat their former AFC West foe, the Los Angeles Chargers.

From 1977 to 2001 the Seahawks and the Chargers shared the old AFC West division. But since the 2002 division realignment, these teams have only faced off five total times in the last twenty years.

During this interim, the Chargers have a slight edge on the Seahawks, having won three of the five games – including the last two. In these two games, the final margin of victory was not reflective of the Chargers’ dominance. Los Angeles/San Diego controlled the Seahawks, even managing to carve up the Legion of Boom at the height of their powers.

Despite the usual slew of yearly injuries for the Chargers, they are still sitting at 4-2 and a half-game behind the Kansas City Chiefs who own a head-to-head tiebreaker. Led by their dynamic young quarterback Justin Herbert, the Chargers provide a unique matchup for any defense.

Seattle’s defense showed signs of life last week by holding the Arizona Cardinals to three offensive points, while racking up six sacks and recording two turnovers. While last week was impressive, it seems unlikely to expect another suffocating performance against a much more talented and cohesive team like Los Angeles. I predict they will provide stiffer resistance, but ultimately they are outgunned.

As for Geno Smith and the offense, the Chargers secondary is suspect, but their pass rush led by Khalil Mack is ruthless. If Seattle can keep Smith cleaner than they did against Arizona, they’ll be able to move the ball. If not, it’ll be a long afternoon.

The Chargers have been a tough nut to crack for the Seahawks in recent years and I don’t see this trend changing this year.

Prediction: Chargers over Seahawks 26-21 

[vertical-gallery id=95441]