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.