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Chargers fire HC Mike McCoy

By Matt Pagels

Dec 4, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy reacts during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy reacts during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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The San Diego Chargers didn’t waste any time making a change.

According to the Chargers official website, the team has fired head coach Mike McCoy.

Mike McCoy has been dismissed as head coach.

INFO: https://t.co/uECp1NbJTy pic.twitter.com/T64O9WryGa

— San Diego Chargers (@Chargers) January 2, 2017

The Chargers finished the season 5-11. It will mark the first time since the 2000-2001 seasons where the Chargers finished with back-to-back losing seasons as well as in last place in the AFC West (4-12 in 2015). However, 2016 wasn’t your normal season. The team was in nearly every game–and led in majority of those games–but could not find a way to win the close ones. After making the playoffs in his first year as head coach (2013), McCoy’s Chargers have failed to make it back to the postseason since. It’ll also be interesting to see if the owners stick with defensive coordinator John Pagano and offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt.

The blame for a bad season shouldn’t be put entirely on McCoy’s shoulders. With all the injuries (21 players on injured reserve), he kept his team in all but two games (Week 14 vs. Carolina Panthers and Week 16 vs. Kansas City Chiefs). But McCoy’s conservative play-calling and inability to close out games killed this team. That, and the fact that the Bolts finished 27-37 under him (excluding 1-1 in playoffs).

The Chargers needed a fresh start and a coach who is more aggressive. They need a coach who will discipline players for their mistakes. Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is a popular choice and could be a change of pace for the Chargers considering McCoy and former coach Norv Turner, who coached the Chargers from 2007-2012, are offensive-minded coaches. If they want to stick with an offensive-minded coach, Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan could be the guy. Bolt Beat’s Louis Gorini wrote a list of coaching options for 2017.

The Chargers will not only be on a quest to find a new head coach, but a potential move to Los Angeles is also on the horizon.

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