5 candidates to replace Brandon Staley as Chargers head coach
By Jason Reed
The 2023 season has not been kind for Brandon Staley, who entered the year with a seat that was already warm thanks to the team's blown 27-0 lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Wild Card Round.
Chargers fans are calling for Staley's job and if the team misses the playoffs this season then it is more than likely that he will be let go. Staley himself all but confirmed that reality after the team's loss in Week 7 pushed the record to 2-4.
There is some speculation that a loss in Week 8 to the Chicago Bears could be the final straw in Staley's tenure. If so, the team could turn to an interim head coach before restarting the coaching cycle once again this upcoming spring.
Whether it be during the season or in January after the team misses the playoffs, firing Staley seems to be the most likely outcome here. With that in mind, it might be time to start looking at coaching candidates.
5 candidates to replace Brandon Staley as Chargers head coach:
5. Kellen Moore, Chargers offensive coordinator
If Staley is fired during the season then Kellen Moore would almost certainly be the interim head coach of the team the rest of the way through. Moore shouldn't just be considered an interim option, as he could be a candidate to replace Staley full-time.
This is part of the reason why firing Staley midseason might be the best call. By giving Moore half a season or so to coach this season the front office will get an idea if he can truly be a leader of men. If so, the Chargers could comfortably keep him in the building (to keep Justin Herbert from having more offensive coaching turnover) and can try to hire a home-run defensive coordinator.
If the Chargers do not fire Staley midseason then the team will have no real idea of whether or not Moore is head coach material. Hiring him then would be risky, but so is hiring any other coordinator without head coaching experience.