The LA Chargers swiftly fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and pass game coordinator/QBs coach Shane Day after the team blew a 27-0 lead over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card Round.
This was more than just a response to an ugly playoff loss as this was something in the making all season. Chargers fans were frustrated watching an offense struggle to operate despite having one of the best quarterbacks in the sport in Justin Herbert under center.
The search is officially on for a new offensive coordinator and Brandon Staley has given fans some hints on which avenues the team may take during this search. After being rejected by the first potential interviewee, the Bolts officially now have their first candidate in the building.
The #Chargers requested an interview with #Rams pass game coordinator/QBs coach Zac Robinson and he's considered a strong candidate for their offensive coordinator job, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 20, 2023
Robinson, 36, is a former NFL QB and now a fast-rising assistant.
Chargers request to interview Rams pass game coordinator/QBs coach Zac Robinson.
Staley confirmed in his post-season presser that the team would explore the Sean McVay/Kyle Shanahan coaching tree when it came to the offensive coordinator search. The team instantly confirmed that this is a likely direction with Zac Robinson firmly coming from that coaching tree.
The former Oklahoma State quarterback was drafted in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft and bounced around the league for four years without ever really getting a chance. Six years after retiring from football, Robinson was hired by Sean McVay to be the assistant quarterbacks coach.
Robinson was hired to replace Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor and he began working his way up the coaching tree. He was the assistant wide receivers coach in 2020, the assistant quarterbacks coach again in 2021 and then was promoted into his current role in 2022.
This would be a left turn from the Joe Lombardi hire as Lombardi was a long-time coach under Sean Payton (as well as a previously failed offensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions). Staley confirmed in his presser that experience is not necessarily needed for the team's next play-caller as they want someone who can maximize Justin Herbert and this offense.
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Robinson may be the first name that the Chargers interview but he certainly will not be the last. Because of his ties to McVay and Staley Robinson has a good chance to get the job but there are a lot of quality options out there for the Bolts to still explore.