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Los Angeles Chargers: DB coach Ron Milus needs a raise

By Tyler Schoon

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 06: Adrian Phillips #31 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after intercepting a pass by Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 06: Adrian Phillips #31 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after intercepting a pass by Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Chargers have had a great position coach among their staff every year since Tom Telesco joined the organization in 2013…

Since joining the Los Angeles Chargers in 2013, general manager Tom Telesco has employed several position coaches and assistants, as well as two head coaches. Telesco gets much of the credit for the outstanding players he drafts or acquires in free agency, but it is truly the coaches who promote the growth and development of those selected who deserve the highest praise; nowhere is this more deserved than with Ron Milus, the Chargers’ defensive backs coach.

There have been five different players who made either the Pro-Bowl or All-Pro teams as defensive backs under Milus since he was brought on with the Chargers in 2013:

  • 2013: FS Eric Weddle (Pro-Bowl)
  • 2014: FS Eric Weddle (Pro-Bowl)
  • 2015: CB Jason Verrett (Pro-Bowl)
  • 2016: CB Casey Hayward (Pro-Bowl and All-Pro)
  • 2017: Casey Hayward (Pro-Bowl)
  • 2018: S Derwin James (Pro-Bowl and All-Pro), DB Desmond King (All-Pro)

That does not include safeties Darrell Stuckey and Adrian Phillips, who were voted to the Pro-Bowl as special teams players.

What’s most impressive, truly, is how Milus develops undrafted or late-round talent. Jahleel Addae had developed into a good safety under his guidance, earning a large contract and remaining with the team for six years. Both Trevor Williams and Michael Davis, who will compete for the second corner spot this offseason, became solid fill-in starters in 2017 and 2018, respectively, following multiple injuries in front of them. His crowning achievement in player development has been Desmond King, who after entering the league as a fifth-round draft pick in 2017 is already an elite defensive back.

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Milus has been largely underappreciated, but at some point will have to be offered a promotion to defensive coordinator, right? This season, he gets to work with a rookie in Nasir Adderley, who was the highest graded safety in the 2019 NFL Draft. There’s a very high chance Adderley will play well and grade highly in this Chargers defense, which only adds another highlight to Milus’ coaching career. One team will offer him a raise; it will be tough to see him leave the Chargers, but arguably no coach on this staff is more deserving.

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