Chargers legend officially joins Bill Belichick's UNC coaching staff

Many former LA Chargers players are now coaching in some capacity to give back to the game they love. Whether it be Philip Rivers creating a dominant high school football program or Jim Harbaugh returning to coach the Chargers, there are prominent names at every level.

Another Chargers legend just joined the list of former players who are now coaching and has done so by teamming up with the greatest head coach in NFL history: Bill Belichick.

The University of North Carolina officially released its full coaching staff for the 2025 season on Tuesday and Chargers fans saw a very familiar face on the staff. Former Chargers Pro Bowl running back Natrone Means will serve as Belichick's running backs coach at UNC.

Chargers legend Natrone Means joins Bill Belichick's UNC coaching staff

This is a homecoming of sorts for Means, who played at the University of North Carolina before being drafted by the Chargers.

Means spent five seasons with the Chargers across two different stints in the '90s. Drafted in the second round of the 1993 NFL Draft, Means was an instrumental member of the 1994 Chargers team that made the only Super Bowl in franchise history.

At 22 years old, Means carried the ball 343 times for 1,350 yards with 12 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 39 passes for an additional 235 yards. Means carried the ball 24 times for 139 yards and a touchdown in the Bolts' 22-21 playoff win over the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Divisional Round.

Without that stellar game from Means, the Chargers likely would not have a single Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.

Means' two stints with the Chargers was broken up by a two-year tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Means never regained his peak form with the Jaguars. Means returned to the Chargers in 1998 and compiled 883 rushing yards — the second-highest mark in his career.

While his overall career numbers are not eye-popping, Means is still one of the greatest running backs in Chargers franchise history and now finds himself coaching for the greatest head coach of all time.

Means started his coaching career in 2005 in Division II college football before joining a high school coaching staff. The former Chargers running back has been with UNC since 2021, where he has served as an offensive analyst.

This is the first time in Means' career he will serve as a positions coach (or higher) on a Division I program.