The Chargers Make A Move
January 12th, 2017
Job-hunt status.
Yes, the Chargers made a move today.
No, not a coaching move. Yet.
As you likely have learned already, the Chargers are moving to Los Angeles for the 2017 season.
Sad that a fine city and the good people of San Diego are losing an NFL team, but as Joe is originally from a region that lost two NFL teams in his lifetime, Joe is numb to franchise moving. It’s not like a team that moves won’t be available on NFL Sunday Ticket or at a sports bar any longer. The NFL long ago has become a TV sport, not a spectator sport (why do you think the NFL got rid of the blackout rule?).
In the meantime, what of Mike Smith? The Bucs defensive coordinator is thought to be a prized candidate for the head coach opening in San Diego Los Angeles.
With the Chargers announcing the not-quite-two-hour move up the interstate (per Google Maps), perhaps Chargers lord Dean Spanos is a bit too busy to hire a new head coach.
Despite news that the Chargers will return to the town of their birth, Albert Breer of theMMQB.com still thinks Smith is the leader of the pack to replace ousted Mike McCoy.
I think San Diego wants an experienced, steady hand who’ll consider hanging on to the offensive staff, which leads me to believe it’ll be Mike Smith there, with Anthony Lynn being another possibility.
Apparently, Lynn is having a second interview with both Los Angeles teams, the Rams and the Chargers. Hhhmm. Perhaps Lynn should hire a Los Angeles realtor?
Joe has a hunch the Chargers might want to make a hire before the end of next week so Smith (or whoever is the new hire) and his new staff can begin scouting prospects at Senior Bowl practices.
January 12th, 2017 at 1:50 pm
Who wants to be the HC of a second LA team that nobody cares about. What an absolute joke. The NFL is clearly too big to fail!
January 12th, 2017 at 1:52 pm
Hey, let’s take an NFL team from a city that cared and put it in a city where absolutely no one cares about it. Then let’s give them a 2nd team to ignore. Brilliant!
– The NFL
January 12th, 2017 at 1:53 pm
They want someone who has been there. If Smith does good, they move him into the new stadium and everyone is happy. I Smith doesn’t do good, they keep him for 2 years and hire an exciting name to move into the new stadium in 2years. I was hoping the SD/ LA thing would continue to be up in the air so Smith might pass, but I’d bet he’s gone and that sucks!!!
January 12th, 2017 at 1:58 pm
Dono themail chargers run a 3-4? I know a new head coach would mean a new scheme, and Smith can switch it to a 4-3, but with some of the players they have in place (Joey bosa, Melvin ingram, Corey liuget) that would be a tough transition on the d. Don’t you think they would go either with an offensive minded coach or a 3-4 style coach?
January 12th, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Will give you roughly four million reasons ($$$).
January 12th, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Do they still have that pretend girlfriend Hawaiian loony linebacker? What the hell was his name? What a circus that was!
January 12th, 2017 at 2:02 pm
Why would Smitty want that job? Who says he wants to keep the O staff.. I dont see that happening. They’re going to play in a Soccer stadium that seats 30k for 2 years. That’s the real proof the NFL doesnt care about butts in the seats…
January 12th, 2017 at 2:04 pm
No chance on Mike smith. I’ve heard it’s Lynns. He’s getting a second interview. Smith only got one.
January 12th, 2017 at 2:05 pm
1. Head coaching gigs in the NFL are hard to get, especially those offered to a coach who already has been fired no matter the record.
2. You would pass up making millions of dollars a year?
January 12th, 2017 at 2:07 pm
@Dallas. Manti Te’O and yes.
January 12th, 2017 at 2:11 pm
2 hours my a$$, I grew up in the North County/Riverside County area, to get from San Diego to Carson on a good day on the 5 Freeway will take you three hours min, first you have to get through the North County and OC gridlock then you have to get through the Long Beach traffic into Carson, good luck, even on a Sunday. The Chargers just lost any and all South San Diego county fans, then you have to consider the Inland Empire fans (Riverside, San Bernardino Counties) which geographically may be closer to Carson but could actually take you just as long to get to because of traffic through the Anaheim area. This is a horrible move for the Chargers who I used to go watch at The Murph. San Diego wouldn’t pay and the Spano’s are to cheap to pay, so this is where they’re at. The Chargers will move once again before the end of the next decade, my guess Oakland.
January 12th, 2017 at 2:27 pm
Dude never built a good d in ATL, and the Bucs defense was good 5-6 games out of 16 and this guy is a hot commodity? The NFL is funny
January 12th, 2017 at 2:42 pm
Not sure why the NFL wants 2 teams in LA. It is kind of like the Tampa Bay area, full of transplants who are unwilling to give up their allegiance to their home town teams.
January 12th, 2017 at 2:43 pm
@tony…I agree….GO BUCS!!!!
January 12th, 2017 at 2:46 pm
Idk imo teams are investing in young coaches, coordinators. I think Lovie fkd it up for the re-treads. First time HCs are probably cheaper to hire too. Idk just a thought.
Aren’t all these guys first time HCs? Except for Kelly.
Ben McAdoo, Giants (11-5, + playoff loss)
Adam Gase, Dolphins (10-6, + playoff loss)
Dirk Koetter, Bucs (9-7)
Mike Mularkey, Titans (9-7)
Doug Pederson, Eagles (7-9)
Chip Kelly, 49ers (2-14, + fired)
Hue Jackson, Browns (1-15)
January 12th, 2017 at 2:54 pm
Hue Jackson was head coach for the Raiders, but yea, I agree with what you’re saying.
January 12th, 2017 at 3:01 pm
DB55 Mularkey had 2 prior HC gigs, Buffalo(2004-05) and Jacksonville(2012). Hue Jackson was the Raiders HC for 2011(he was the the HC when Al Davis died).
January 12th, 2017 at 3:03 pm
@flmike takes around 1.5 hours to drive from riverside to Carson (traffic included on that). About the same time it would take to drive down to SD. Only problem is, stubhub center only has 1 parking lot that allows drinking. This is a horrible move by the chargers organization.
@dallasbuc: I’m not sure that SD residents were that much in love with the Chargers. I used to have season tickets and games were never sold out and there were so many opposing teams fans there. So Cal only loves their Dodgers and lakers teams.
January 12th, 2017 at 3:09 pm
“Dude never built a good d in ATL, and the Bucs defense was good 5-6 games out of 16 and this guy is a hot commodity? ”
He isn’t really that much of a hot commodity it seems – but he’s easily the most accomplished available coach by far. Averaged 9+ wins per year in his 7 years in Atlanta with 5 playoff performances going 66-44.
That’s about as impressive as it gets for a coach on the street. I can’t really think of a close example.
What has Anthony Lynn done? Offensive coordinator for the Bills last year? They averaged 24.9 PPG after averaging 23.7 PPG the year prior; going 7-9 after going 8-8.
Also – 2nd chance head coaches have won 8 of the last 13 super bowls. And pretty much all of those coaches had worse records than Smith in their first tenures
And lastly – your “5-6 games” is wrong. There were 7 games where we gave up 17 or less points – that’s not just good – that’s a top 2 defense in the NFL type good; and what they averaged the entire 2nd half of the season…
January 12th, 2017 at 3:10 pm
Alterraun Verner
@Alvern_1
So chargers moving to LA????? Playing at stubhub center in Carson next two years. Got to find a way to play there, preseason included.
January 12th, 2017 at 3:12 pm
Ty gents
January 12th, 2017 at 3:13 pm
I think its pretty safe to say, Roger G. is the worst NFL commish ever. How does LA have 2 teams and San Diego and Las Vegas have none?
January 12th, 2017 at 3:58 pm
Bucfan951- that’s my point. LA gets an NFL team (again…) that they don’t want and proved it this year and so in turn the NFL has decided to go ahead and give them yet another one. I’ve spent lots of time in SD, LA and in between and the one thing you find out quickly as a sports fan is that they don’t give a sht about the NFL and if they do it is for some other team from another state.
January 12th, 2017 at 4:00 pm
I just don’t get why they are putting 2 teams there. LA has proven for decades they don’t want to support the NFL. Now they put 2 there. Stupidity. They should have gone to salt lake or vegas
January 12th, 2017 at 4:10 pm
Just dodged another bullet Rams named Sean McVay HC
January 12th, 2017 at 4:11 pm
Mike Smith doesn’t want the Chargers circus does he???
January 12th, 2017 at 4:17 pm
@ChanEpic
Here ya and do not disagree.
How does LA have 2 teams and San Diego and Las Vegas have none?
It’s called “Show me the money”.
January 12th, 2017 at 4:54 pm
Looking better and better that we keep Mike Smith for at least one more year.
January 12th, 2017 at 5:09 pm
I read somewhere that the guy that takes the San Diego job must agree to take Ken Whisenhunt as OC. Don’t know whether that’s a deal breaker for Smith or not.
January 12th, 2017 at 5:25 pm
For the umpteenth time…Mike Smith ain’t goin nowhere. I told you all this long ago. Matter of fact, he might not get another shot at HC in the NFL. He is where he is suppose to be. Joe and many here have been pushin this guy. He never was on anybody’s list. Cut out the hype joe. Let Smith stay where he be.
January 12th, 2017 at 5:40 pm
Glazers should step up now and offer Mike Smith a big raise if he stays with the Bucs. If the dollars are not that different – then it would be foolish of coach Smith to walk into that LA Chargers mess IMO. They are going to be playing in a soccer stadium that seats 35k for the next 2 years. Phillip Rivers turns 36 this year. Their defense is not very talented…
Smith will have much better HC opportunities in a year or two once the Bucs become legit Super Bowl contenders. I could see him taking the Jaguars job if it had been offered – but not this.
January 12th, 2017 at 5:40 pm
It’s kinda peculiar that of last years new head coaching hires, the 2 worst records were from “veteran” head coaches.
it doesn’t feel like Mike Smith will be leaving. Just a gut feeling. I hope he stays.
January 12th, 2017 at 6:12 pm
@St.Pete – aahhhh the old profit motive rears it’s pretty head. How could I forget. LOL
January 12th, 2017 at 6:13 pm
Oh and Goodell still sux
January 12th, 2017 at 6:13 pm
Does Smith honestly think he can win a SB with the Chargers? It is not about money because I am sure the Glazer’s would pay him. So the only reason to leave a potential SB in the next 3-4 seasons is for ego. I read Mike Smith’s book. Leaving the Bucs for a bum team like the Chargers goes against the message in his book.
January 12th, 2017 at 6:26 pm
Chargers hire Mike Smith than meh. Chargers don’t hire Mike Smith than meh. Bye Felicia (What up DB55). Maybe.
January 12th, 2017 at 6:56 pm
Another swing and a miss from Joe.
January 12th, 2017 at 6:56 pm
Bucs just extended mike smiths co
ntract
January 12th, 2017 at 6:57 pm
Smith withdrew his name and signed an extension
January 12th, 2017 at 6:57 pm
Smith just signed an extension with the Bucs as reported by Ian Rapoport. Drama over!
January 12th, 2017 at 6:59 pm
Heyoooooo consistency baby! Let’s see what this team can do now.
January 12th, 2017 at 7:00 pm
He is staying. Just got contract extension from the Bucs.
January 12th, 2017 at 7:01 pm
Mike Smith back!!
January 12th, 2017 at 7:01 pm
Dangit guys you beat me.
This signing is positively Tremendous. Can’t wait for all the ignorant haters to come and say that it was a bad move, Because Mike Smith is a nice guy and too soft.
Also Jason Licht Definitely hasn’t drafted young men with the passion, fire, will, and competitive spirit that is leaded to a culture of winning and excellence. He’s just a doofus that trusts his gut and isn’t right 100 percent of the time.
On second thought lets fire everyone.
January 12th, 2017 at 7:06 pm
My Twitter TL is one happy one right now!!!! What fooking good news!!!!!
January 12th, 2017 at 7:10 pm
It feels good to have our staff back!!!
January 12th, 2017 at 7:12 pm
Mike Smith is staying 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌 GO BUCS
January 12th, 2017 at 7:15 pm
M Smith is out of the market and will return to Tampa.
way to slow joe way to slow
January 12th, 2017 at 7:17 pm
The Bucs just made their biggest off season acquisition.
January 12th, 2017 at 7:24 pm
Boom. Called it. Hey joe you should hire me, not bad huh.
January 12th, 2017 at 7:32 pm
I said he was staying. Well, not really but I didn’t want to feel left out.
January 12th, 2017 at 7:35 pm
Put down the beer and update your site. Do your Job!
January 12th, 2017 at 7:36 pm
Glad Mike smith is staying. Defense should be top 5 next year
January 12th, 2017 at 7:37 pm
Yaaaaaaaaaaa for the Bucs making the biggest move that they could this off season.
January 12th, 2017 at 7:51 pm
Looks like more ‘fake news’ from the media that was false.
Reminds me of when Ron Jaworkski made up ‘that sources told him the Bucs were selecting Marcus Marriotta’
Some in the media just speculate or plain lie.
January 12th, 2017 at 9:22 pm
Bucsfan91 did they widen the 91 since I left or are you taking 15, 10 or 210 around the back. I know growing up in Temecula it was at least 2 hours to my Dads place in Long Beach with traffic on the 91 to the 7
January 12th, 2017 at 10:55 pm
Ladies and gentlemen, we got him
January 12th, 2017 at 11:57 pm
I feel so bad for the fans in San Diego. It makes me that much more grateful for the Bucs. It would rip my heart out if the Bucs Bolts or Rays left.