The inevitable has finally happened, as the Los Angeles Chargers have decided to fire head coach Brandon Staley and General Manager Tom Telesco. Staley originally took over head coaching duties at the start of the 2021 season, but has also served as a defensive coach for the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, and Chicago Bears.
The #Chargers are cleaning house after last night’s disaster, firing coach Brandon Staley and long-time GM Tom Telesco, sources say. pic.twitter.com/iaW5kYqCie
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 15, 2023
Los Angeles Chargers Fire Brandon Staley
Brandon Staley entered the 2023 season on the heels of one of the biggest collapses in playoff history. After going up 27-0 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2022 Wild Card Round, his defense allowed Jacksonville to come back and win, 31-30. The head coach parted ways with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and entered the season needing to prove that he could take this team on a deep playoff run.
Instead, the Chargers had their worst season of the Brandon Staley era. The defense remained an active liability, the offense didn’t play up to its potential, and Los Angeles was 5-8 with Herbert under center. To make matters worse, Herbert went down with a season-ending injury in Week 14, and the Chargers lost their next game by the embarrassing margin of 63-21.
Brandon Staley became the Los Angeles Chargers head coach in early 2021. Taking over for Anthony Lynn, the Chargers already had a proven franchise quarterback in Herbert, and Staley just needed to build an adequate supporting cast. The Chargers went 9-8 in 2021, narrowly missing the playoffs as Staley established himself as one of the most aggressive coaches in the league.
Unfortunately, that aggression didn’t carry over into 2022. Staley reverted in a big way, but the defense remained a liability. The Chargers went 10-7 and earned a trip to the playoffs, but they did it while turning the rocket-armed Justin Herbert into one of the most conservative passers in the league.
Staley finished his time with the Chargers boasting two winning seasons in three years at the helm, but was never able to get that elusive playoff win.
Main Photo: Stephanie R. Sylvanie – USA Today Sports
