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Lindsey ThiryESPN
COSTA MESA, California. The Los Angeles Chargers have agreed pacts with Brandon Staley to become their next head coach, the team announced Sunday night.
It will be formally presented at a press conference on Thursday.
Staley served last season as the Los Angeles Rams ’defensive coordinator, developing the NFL’s top-tier defense behind defensive star Aaron Donald and cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Staley’s drive propelled the Rams to a 10-6 season and won a wildcard playoff over the Seattle Seahawks before the team came out of the postseason with a loss to the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. In his first year as NFL coordinator, Staley’s defense ranked No. 1 in efficiency, yards allowed per game and points allowed per game.
With the Chargers, Staley replaces coach Anthony Lynn, who was fired after four seasons and a 33-31 record.
The Chargers arrive a 7-9 season that resulted in a third-place finish in the AFC West.
However, Staley inherits a roster that includes several cornerstone players, including rookie quarterback Justin Herbert, who became the youngest quarterback in NFL history to throw 30 touchdown passes in a single season. . Staley also takes charge of a defensive unit that includes Pro Bowl defensive end Joey Bosa, and All-Pro safety Derwin James.
“It’s hard to put into words how excited I am about the opportunity to be the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers,” Staley said in a statement. “While this is certainly a dream come true, it is also a dream that is just beginning. There is a reason why this was probably the most sought after job: from the property, to the fans, to the city. , even the men in this locker room: it’s the whole package. “
Staley, 38, has risen rapidly in the NFL ranks since he was first hired as a position coach in 2017 with the Chicago Bears. He spent two seasons in Chicago with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio before following Fangio to the Denver Broncos, where he spent a season as an offline coach before joining the Rams staff.
Ramsey told ESPN that he has been in touch with James about hiring Staley and that James was very “excited” about his new coach. Ramsey has been a vocal defender for Staley throughout the coach’s season with the Rams.
“It would make a lot of organizations happy because he’s a fantastic guy. It has to do with the ball, but at the same time he’s a player coach, and I love that and I hope he’s here for a while,” Ramsey said month after month. “But I wouldn’t be surprised if that was a fact. I’d be happy for him.”
Prior to coaching in the NFL, Staley coached for three seasons at John Carroll University, a Division III college in University Heights, Ohio, and also spent a season as a defensive coordinator at James Madison University.
“His coaching journey so far in particular is inspiring; if not for the perseverance and determination of it all, no doubt for the dramatic results he has produced for the teams and players he has coached,” said John Spanos. , president of Chargers football operations. . “I know it’s a cliché, but I know Brandon literally can’t wait to get to work.”