Dec. 15 (UPI) — Fewer than 24 hours after a lopsided 63-21 loss dropped their 2023 record to 5-9, the Los Angeles Chargers fired coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco, the team announced Friday.
The Chargers said they will announce an interim coach and general manager “within short order.”
“I want to thank Tom and Brandon for their hard work, dedication and professionalism, and wish both them and their great families nothing but the best,” Chargers owner Dean Spanos said in a news release.
“These decisions are never easy, nor are they something I take lightly — especially when you consider the number of people they impact.”
Staley, 41, led the Chargers to a 24-24 regular-season record in three years as head coach. They went 9-8 in 2021 and 10-7 in 2022, resulting in just their second playoff berth since 2013-14.
Staley was the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams in 2020. He held various other defensive coaching roles in the NFL and college ranks prior to his stop in Los Angeles.
Despite that experience, the Chargers defense allowed the fourth-most yards this season. Their defense ranked 20th in yards allowed in 2022 and 23rd in 2021.
“We are clearly not where we expect to be, however, and we need new vision,” Spanos said. “Doing nothing in the name of continuity was not a risk I was willing to take.
“Our fans have stood strong through so many ups and downs and close games. They deserve more. Frankly, they’ve earned more. Building and maintaining a championship-caliber program remains our ultimate goal. And reimagining how we achieve that goal begins today.”
Staley told reporters Thursday night that he thought he deserved to keep his job. The Chargers’ lopsided loss Thursday to the Las Vegas Raiders was their fifth setback in six games.
“I know what I’ve done here for three years, and I know what I’ve put into this, and I know where we’re capable of going,” Staley said Thursday, when asked about why he should stay as coach.
“I know the type of coach I am. I believe in myself.”
Jack Jones one-handed Pick-6 #LACvsLV on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/ga7O4RMwdt pic.twitter.com/PmSa7IBrb4— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2023
Telesco, 51, became Chargers general manager in 2013. He previously worked as an intern for the Buffalo Bills and as a scout for the Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts. Telesco was the Colts vice president of football operations in 2012.
The Chargers went 84-92 during Telesco’s 11-year tenure as general manager. They went 2-3 in three playoff appearances. The Chargers hired three coaches during that span, including Mike McCoy, Anthony Lynn and Staley.
The Chargers will host the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 23 in Inglewood, Calif. They will then play the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs in their final two games.
