The Tom Telesco Mess – Coaches Edition

In our third installment of the “The Tom Telesco Mess” we will be taking a look at who TT has put in position to coach the Chargers.  In 2013 after TT was hired, his first order of business was to select a head coach for the team.  The Chargers interviewed 6 for the position and had a 7th interview scheduled that was unfortunately cancelled before it happened.

First let’s start with the man the Chargers selected.

Mike McCoyRecord with the club: 2013 (9-7), 2014 (9-7), 2015 (2-2)The club’s previous record: 2010 (9-7), 2011 (8-8), 2012 (7-9)

Under MM’s direction the club has shown a slight improvement overall.

Gus BradleyThe defensive coordinator of the Seahawks was also interviewed for the Charger’s top spot.  He eventually ended up taking the head spot with Jacksonville in 2013.

Record with the club: 2013 (4-12), 2014 (3-13), 2015 (1-3)The club’s previous record: 2010 (8-8), 2011 (5-11), 2012 (2-14)

Bradley took over a team that had hit rock bottom in 2012.  In his time with the club, little has changed and Jacksonville is still one of the worst teams in the league. TT might have been smart to pass on Bradley

Lovie SmithThe longtime Bear’s coach was considered for the Chargers head spot, but was ultimately passed over and hired on in Tampa Bay in 2014.

Record with the club: 2014 (2-14), 2015 (1-3)The club’s previous record: 2011 (4-12), 2012 (7-9), 2013 (4-12)

The Buccaneer’s have not found any more success with Lovie at the helm.  Perhaps it was best that the Chargers passed on this guy.

Ken WhisenhuntThe Chargers actually did end up hiring Whisenhunt as OC after they passed on him as head coach. Under Whisenhunt’s direction Phillip Rivers carreer seemed rejuvenated.  Whisenhunt was lured away by the Titans in 2014.

Record with the club: 2014 (2-14), 2015 (1-3)The club’s previous record: 2011 (9-7), 2012 (6-10), 2013 (7-9)

The Titans have struggled with Whisenhunt at the helm.  Will that pattern change with the addition of Marcus Marriota?  It’s hard to tell but is does not appear that Whisenhunt has had a positive influence on the Titan’s record since arriving.

Jay GrudenAfter a couple of year’s as Cincinnati’s offensive coordinator and several interview’s for head coaching positions, Jay Gruden was hired in Washington to replace Mike Shannahan in 2014.

Record with the club: 2014 (4-12), 2015 (2-2)The club’s previous record: 2011 (5-11), 2012 (10-6), 2013 (3-13)

Jay’s time with Washington has been tumultuous with all sorts of questions at the QB spot.  It’s hard to tell how well he has the team playing but the defense seems much improved.

And then the one interview that never happened…

Bruce AriansAfter Arians picked up in the middle of the Colt’s season and did a marvelous job at head coach the Arizona Cardinals plucked him from the pool of available coaches.

Record with the club: 2013 (10-6), 2014 (11-5), 2015 (3-0)The club’s previous record: 2010 (5-11), 2011 (8-8), 2012 (5-11)

Bruce has taken a mediocre team and turned it into a serious Superbowl contender.  In hindsight he was obviously the best coach available when the Chargers were searching.

SummaryIt is unfortunate that the Chargers did not host that one last interview.  How different could things be if they had met with Bruce Arians and liked what they heard.  So close… It should be the Chargers mantra, “SO CLOSE!”  We should put it on posters with Marlon McCree fumbling an interception and Nate Kaeding missing a FG.

More from Bolt Beat

• LA Chargers: 3 early takeaways from 2021 minicamp thus far
• LA Chargers: Drue Tranquill takes a jab at Gus Bradley’s defense
• LA Chargers second-year players: Nothing lose and a lot to gain
• LA Chargers: Why running back could be a big issue for the Bolts
• LA Chargers: Chris Rumph’s upside is Melvin Ingram-like, but better

Dreams aside… was McCoy a bad choice?  Compared to how the other coaches that were available have faired I would say, ‘no.’  Has he proved to be anything special?  Well, that answer is also, ‘no’. McCoy so far seems to be a mediocre coach.  That could pretty much be said for our entire coaching staff.  The only time I have said, “Wow!  Our coaching staff totally out coached the other team,” was on the Green touchdown against Detroit.  We faked the inside draw to Danny Woodhead and the entire defense bit and Green was wide open in the endzone.  But that is a rare occasion. There is nothing flashy about our coaching.  There are no exotic blitzes, trick plays, or creative offense.  It all seems pretty vanilla…. or maybe mediocre.  Mediocre McCoy.

So, for the mediocre coaching staff I grade Telesco with a C+.