Los Angeles Chargers Fire Head Coach Brandon Staley

The Los Angeles Chargers are getting a headstart on the offseason. After a humiliating 63-21 defeat at the hands of the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday Night Football, the Chargers announced they've fired head coach Brandon Staley Friday morning.

we have parted ways with Head Coach Brandon Staley and General Manager Tom Telesco
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 15, 2023

The Chargers also announced the firing of general manager Tom Telesco, who had served in his position in 2013, and defensive run game coordinator/defensive line coach Jay Rodgers.

The Chargers also named their interim head coach and general manager. Giff Smith, who has coached outside linebackers and defensive line for the Chargers since 2016, will take over head coaching duties. Jojo Wooden, who joined the Chargers in 2013 and has lately overseen the team's pro and college scouting departments, will run the front office.

Staley's and Telesco's firings are the surest signs yet the Chargers are looking at a major overhaul entering 2024. And why not? They've stumbled to a deeply disappointing 5-9 this season, and the team that took the field on Thursday had every bit the look of an organization that had given up. Staley, who rose to prominence as a defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams, ends his tenure as head coach with a 24-24 record and a miserable 24.75 points allowed per game.

On the bright side, the Chargers should be an enticing destination for whoever ends up being the hottest available head coach candidate in 2024. They have a franchise quarterback in place with Justin Herbert, and they still have promising offensive coordinator Brandon Staley to call plays. They've delivered an underwhelming unit this season (21.6 points per game, 16th in the league), but assuming the Chargers still believe in the paring, they should probably focus on a defensive-minded head coach. Apparently, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick could be available.