While it does not appear that the LA Chargers are going to make a decision during the season, it is all but guaranteed that Brandon Staley will not be coaching the team in 2024. Barring a miracle run at the playoffs after a 4-6 start, the results simply are not good enough for Staley and his third season might be his last.
That is going to kickstart a head coach search for the Bolts with a long list of compelling candidates to consider. The Chargers won't just have to hire a new head coach, though, as the team may also need to hire a new defensive coordinator.
No fan wants to see the team bring in a defensive-minded head coach again. Fans want to see the Chargers hire someone who can win for Herbert and who can bring a solid defensive coach with him.
5 potential Chargers defensive coordinator candidates to replace Brandon Staley:
Joe Whitt Jr
There is some speculation about Dan Quinn being a head-coach candidate for the Chargers and that would be awful. Quinn is someone who is great as a coordinator and that is it. The Chargers have already dealt with three years of Staley, the team doesn't need to bring in another version of him.
If the Bolts wanted to pick off of the Cowboys coaching staff again, though, the team could entertain the idea of hiring Joe Whitt Jr. as the defensive coordinator. Whitt has been in the league for nearly two decades and has coached some really great secondaries in his time but he has never gotten a chance to be the defensive coordinator.
Whitt is currently the secondary coach and defensive pass game coordinator for the Cowboys and the results speak for themselves. Dallas has had one of the best secondaries in the league in recent years.
Before that, Whitt has promising stops with the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers, where he elevated each team's secondary. If the Chargers want someone with a lot of NFL experience who hasn't gotten a chance yet, Whitt could be the guy.
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