Many fans thought that Brandon Staley would no longer be the head coach of the LA Chargers after the team blew a 27-0 lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Wild Card Round. Staley's job was ultimately safe but the team quickly moved on from offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, QBs coach Shane Day and LBs coach Michael Wilhoite.
It appeared that all of the coaching moves were done for the Chargers as all of those vacant positions were filled. Just when the dust settled, the Bolts made another coaching change that took fans by surprise.
Defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill agreed to a multi-year contract with the Miami Dolphins to reunite with his former defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio. While this might look like Hill is "jumping ship", the reality is that he took a demotion with the Dolphins, indicating that this was a mutual decision.
Chargers’ DC Renaldo Hill is leaving LA to reunite with Miami defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and become the Dolphins defensive pass-game coordinator, per source. Hill was Fangio’s top target and out of respect to his former boss, Chargers’ HC Brandon Staley allowed his… https://t.co/wHFKnMCPvJ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 20, 2023
Chargers promote Derrick Ansley to defensive coordinator to replace Renaldo Hill.
The search for a defensive coordinator to replace Renaldo Hill is not going to last as long as the search to land Kellen Moore took. The Chargers are promoting from within, elevating Derrick Ansley from defensive backs coach to defensive coordinator.
Tommy Donatell is also getting a promotion out of this as he is going from an assistant secondary coach to secondary coach/pass game coordinator. It is unclear whether or not the Chargers are going to add more assistants to the coaching staff.
In reality, this coaching change should not really result in much for the Chargers. Brandon Staley is still the heartbeat of this defense and is going to call the plays on that side of the ball. Perhaps the Bolts get more synergy between Staley and Ansley but that is going to be the only real change.
Hill's motivation in this is a bit interesting, though. It is unclear if this is something he pursued or something Staley helped orchestrate with Fangio to save face for Hill in the public light. Regardless, there was some kind of disconnect there as Hill wouldn't take a demotion simply to reunite with Fangio.
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Brandon Staley's seat is undeniably hot as we head into the 2023 offseason so he better hope that all of these coaching changes end up for the better. If not, the entire staff may be getting the boot after the 2023 season.