The Raiders announced that they have hired former Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano as their assistant head coach-defense. Pagano will be reuniting with head coach Jack Del Rio, as the duo worked together in New Orleans.
The 49-year-old had been coaching in San Diego since the early 2000s. After serving as the Chargers linebackers coach, Pagano was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2012, and he ultimately held that position for five seasons. However, following the hiring of head coach Anthony Lynn, it looked like Pagano’s tenure with the organization was coming to an end. That was made abundantly clear last week after the Chargers hired Gus Bradley as their new defensive coordinator.
Ken Norton Jr. will remain the Raiders’ defensive coordinator, but Pagano will certainly help a unit that struggled at times during the 2016 season. The Raiders ranked 26th in yards allowed, and they finished with the fewest sacks in the NFL.
Lets take a look at some more coaching notes from around the league…
- Eagles wide receivers coach Greg Lewis is expected to take the same position with the Chiefs, reports Alex Marvez of Sporting News (via Twitter). The former NFL wideout joined the Eagles coaching staff last offseason after serving as a Saints’ offensive assistant during the 2015 season.
- CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora would be “very, very surprised” if Chip Kelly ultimately replaces Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan (Twitter link). This move would have been a bit ironic, as Shanahan is set to replace Kelly as the head coach of the 49ers. Instead of moving to Atlanta, La Canfora suggest Kelly could catch on with the Patriots as a consultant/assistant.
- Speaking of Shanahan, Falcons coach Dan Quinn says the coordinator is set to meet with the 49ers on Saturday. “I’m really proud of him because it’s not easy to do when there is a lot of speculation and things going outside of your world to stay dialed in,” Quinn said (via Michael Cunningham of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). “It’s one that should be commended. Being on point and going for it, he totally nailed that.”
- The Redskins have promoted Chad Englehart to head strength and conditioning coach, reports Jake Kring-Schreifels of Redskins.com. Englehart has served as the team’s assistant strength and conditioning coach over the past seven seasons. The organization hired Kavan Latham to fill Englehart’s previous role.
I am very happy for the Falcons. Seems like they finally got over that hump. I hope they win it all. I am a 9ers fan so of course I wish we could’ve hired Shanahan this week but that’s ok, it might actually work out better because if he has a ring that will be that much more respect the guys will have for him because he will have proven his system works so well that’s twins championships. Not sure that it would take that but it still can’t hurt. My only concern is that we are losing out on coordinators so he may have to wait until next off season to get the coordinators he truly wants. We will see I guess. Still very excited about hiring this guy. Hopefully he can find a good QB for his system. Gotta fix that O Line and get few receivers. With a good QB, good O Line, Hyde and some better receivers they will be in good shape offensively. They definitely have the draft picks and money to turn this thing around. I get it that everyone is so negative about this team over all the stuff that has happened but I don’t think they are in bad shape after hiring Shanahan, having the draft picks they have and all the money they have plus they’ll have even more money once Kaep opts out.
I think the 49ers have some major issues, but Shanahan would be a major upgrade over Tomsula and Kelly. The biggest problem is still Jed York who is clueless. Finding a QB is at the top of the list of things to do, but lack of talent at WR is also a big problem. I think the talent on this team has really fallen of in the last few years, but hey could be a .500 team in fairly short order if they lock York in his office.
Trust me, I agree that York is a a nimrod but I also fill that he is making a very smart choice of baiting a coach and GM that will work together well unlike Baalke with everyone else he has as a coach. They can definitely turn it around in the next two to three years. Or at least I feel that way. I do think they lost a lot of talent in free agency and from retiring but I think that had a lot to do with people not wanting to work for Baalke.
Lol lock him in his office…maybe his mommy should just ground him
NINERS Will rise again and great we will always be specially now that balkee is gone We still need Mr.DBartolo back
Chip to Patriots? Finally they’ll suck! Haha
The patriots will never suck!!!
Hopefully the the 49ers do make it back because it seems to make the Seahawks better. It is a great rivalry. I know there are idiots in both fan bases but the true fans make it fun. And for any if you which it doesn’t seem to be as many like on another site that think we have only had fans since 2012 the Kingdome was almost always sold out they even made a bogus noise rule because of Seattle. So it is not only at the Clink that we have been loud. I know we weren’t in your division then but you can Google it.
The only time Seattle has had poor attendance is when Ken Behring bought the team and destroyed it and then tried to move it to LA. Then Paul Allen bought it and it has been up hill every since. Anyway like I said the rivalry is fun so hopefully the team turns the corner fast. The only problem is you won’t have a coach to hate like Harbaugh. You’ll have to get a jerk for a WR or a DB because we can’t leave Sherman as the most hated player in the NFCW.
FYI – The headline for this article says
“Giants To Meets With Kyle Shanahan On Saturday”
I am a 49ers fan. Almost had a heart attack.
Chip Kelly to New England? I hope so cause where every he goes that teams dies!!!