DECEMBER 23: The Chargers will cast a wide net in their coaching search, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports (video link). Candidates with a background as a coordinator, along with those who fit the CEO-type profile will be considered as a result. Spending big on a coach (either Harbaugh or another high-profile option) will not be an issue, per Rapoport.
That sentiment is echoed by a report from Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. The Chargers will consider any path during their bid to find not only a new coach, but also a general manager, per Florio. The order in which the HC and GM additions are made, along with the organizational structure as it pertains to reporting to Spanos is thus in the air at this point as the team remains one to watch with the offseason on the horizon.
DECEMBER 20: Although Jim Harbaugh wrapped his playing career after the 2001 season, his last NFL action came with the Chargers in 2000. Dean Spanos was in place as Chargers CEO at that point. More than 20 years later, the subject of a reunion continues to come up.
Harbaugh being connected to NFL teams is not exactly new, as the Michigan HC has regularly been tied to a return to the pros. He interviewed with the Broncos this year and the Vikings in 2022. The Chargers sent out a feeler to Harbaugh recently, and Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz follows up the team is indeed interested in bringing the successful HC back to the NFL.
It is not known if Harbaugh is interested in coming to Los Angeles, but even as he in talks with Michigan on another extension, aspirations of returning to the NFL continue to surface. As for the Chargers’ willingness to give Harbaugh or another high-profile HC autonomy they would likely seek, the organization appears to be at a proving ground during this HC hiring period.
The Bolts have a history of not authorizing big salaries for HCs, and John Spanos — Dean’s son — resides as the team’s president of football operations. Pointing to John Spanos not being eager to relinquish certain control that could be required to land a heavy hitter like Harbaugh or Bill Belichick, the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora classifies such a hire as unlikely. An anonymous GM told La Canfora that Belichick would clash with John Spanos, while also casting doubt about Harbaugh’s fit.
Pointing to Chargers sensitivity about a perception they are unwilling to spend what it takes, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes a Harbaugh-to-L.A. scenario or a Belichick trade should not be dismissed. The Chargers have not landed a big-name coach in more than 20 years. After hiring Marty Schottenheimer in 2002, the Bolts have gone with Norv Turner, Mike McCoy, Anthony Lynn and Brandon Staley. Three of those were first-timers, while Turner went 1-for-9 in playoff berths while in Washington and Oakland. With Dean Spanos’ statement upon firing Staley and GM Tom Telesco indicating the organization wants to reimagine its process en route to building a hopeful championship team, the overhaul may need to include his son’s role.
After its batch of rookie HCs came up short, L.A.’s AFC team is believed to want a proven option. Harbaugh also may be viewed as a better fit internally compared to Belichick. The Bolts have been connected to Lions OC Ben Johnson, as other teams will be, but that would represent a similar hire to those on which the organization signed off under Telesco .
Although obviously buoyed by his name, John Spanos began his rise as a Chargers scout. After a stint from 2008-13 as director of college scouting, Spanos ascended to VP of football operations. He has been in the football ops president role since 2015.
“I would talk to Tom or Brandon almost every day. I think my background only helps me in sort of being able to kind of evaluate where we are and really helps me in working with the head coach and GM,” John Spanos said, via The Athletic’s Daniel Popper (subscription required). “But I’m not making the decisions on, ‘Hey, coach, you have to start this player.’ Right? I’ve never done that. My dad’s never done that. We’ve never gone down and said, ‘You’ve got to run this play.’ Or, ‘Hey, you have to draft this player.’
“I believe in working together with them. I’m very involved. Because of my background, and I’m very fortunate that I’ve been able to work on the lowest level of the organization to where I am now, I think it helps me in working with people.”
It is unclear if the Chargers are prepared to give their next head coach a significant say in personnel matters. A Staley-driven effort to reload the defense in 2022 brought in the likes of Khalil Mack, J.C. Jackson and Sebastian Joseph-Day. The Chargers indeed have spent the seventh-most cash over the past two years, per Spotrac, though defensive improvement proved elusive. Justin Herbert‘s $52.5MM-per-year extension is on the team’s books through 2029.
The Chargers will look into whether they need to be more transactional, per Breer, with regards to in-season trades or dealing picks for talent. Whether player expenses will lead to the team giving its HC more influence remains to be seen.
“Taking a step back and looking at everything and being willing to consider all possibilities, meaning consider setup, structure, qualities in coaches, qualities in GMs, backgrounds of coaches, backgrounds of GMs — reimagining, really, the entire structure and setup,” Spanos said (via Popper). “And reimagining doesn’t mean making a dramatic change and saying, ‘OK, we’re going to go in this direction and do the opposite of what we’ve done.’ It’s just really reflecting and self-evaluating and make sure we give ourselves the best chances for success.”
Coaching agents have contacted the Spanoses regarding their respective clients’ interest in the job and getting the best out of Herbert, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. Staley’s attitude was also perceived in some league circles as cocky, per Russini. The defensive specialist became the first Chargers HC fired in-season since Kevin Gilbride in 1998.
Harbaugh, 59, would not exactly be a step back in that department. The strong-willed coach ruffled feathers consistently in San Francisco, engaging in a power struggle with then-GM Trent Baalke, and has been suspended twice during this latest Michigan season. Given the opportunity to coach Herbert, however, probably would entice the nine-year Wolverines HC. While Harbaugh has returned to Ann Arbor after two efforts to come back to the NFL, the Chargers represent an interesting opportunity. Would this lower-key team be the right fit for a Harbaugh comeback?
At least they wouldn’t have to trade for him
I’d trade Tomlin for a 7th round pick
and hire Harbaugh for steelers
I’d be happy with that for the Chargers
There might be better choices
Harbaugh has always been a malcontent. The 49er ownership took some heat for that firing but imagine how difficult he must’ve been to deal with for them to fire him when they were that close to a championship?
The Chargers will probably not offer Harbaugh the amount of control he requires to take a job.
Can’t blame him for sticking to his guns. All Harbaugh (and his brother) do is win.
Yep, he wins. But I think maybe his act is more tolerable at the college level than the pros? “Sticking to his guns” can also be a “my way or the highway” ego. The Chargers might buy in. But I don’t think Ryan Poles of the Bears would put up with an ounce of that. Just IMO..
I’d rather have Harbuagh than Poles any day
With the ncaa charges coming
I believe he‘s going somewhere in the NFL
The whole mess is being sheltered until after the collage playoffs
This 100%^^^^^^
Is he cool with how they left San Diego? Probably won’t matter if they actually pay him I guess.
San Diego is great to live in, LA not so much. JH may want to stay in the Midwest. Bears will be a contender for him.
You know that Harbaugh used to coach on the West Coast? Chargers have their practice site in Orange County so he’ll be right at home.
Chargers are currently building a training facility in El Segundo which is in LA County.
Harbaugh never coached in LA. He did in the Bay area and San Diego, but not LA.
Was Satan unavailable
Bill B is available for a draft pick. He promises to tick off everyone on the team, fail miserably at FA & the draft, and then complain the media is against him.
And bring in Matt Patricia as ST coach
Bring in Judge as the OC again!
For all of Harbaugh’s flaws and scandals, I still can’t imagine how the 49er’s believed they would be better off keeping Baalke over Harbaugh. Trent Baalke? Jim Tomsula?
They fall into the Bob Davie category of “How did that happen?”
I think the 49ers brass had Harbaugh pegged pretty well. He’s always been a prima donna rather than a team player. He likes to claim all the credit while dodging any blame. Vic Fangio deserved as much credit for the Niners success but Harbaugh wanted everyone to think he was the genius.
Trent B has done nothing in Jax either. Terrible GM.
For years Jax GMs were handcuffed because the scouting department was reluctant to put resources out of state. The teams recent success coincides with an overhaul of that scouting department.
Can you explain ‘success’ please? Jags still are awful. The truth is Shad uses the team for entertainment more so than worrying about winning. He host his business partners in London and warm Jacksonville for an entertaining weekend. Until that changes, and it won’t, they’ll be at best a .500 team.
Winning and losing always starts at the top. Carolina isn’t less valuable now than when Tepper bought them 4-5 years ago and not a single winning season to show for it. As proof of that.
There was a stretch of years where achieving .500 for the Jags would have been wishful thinking. They aren’t elite but they keep taking small steps in the right direction.
Balke was Jed Yorks yes man. Mommy and daddy took the team back and brought in Shanahan/Lynch because of the Jed/Trent ego battle with harbaugh and subsequent terrible decision making.
I thought Justin Herbert should’ve run for the hills rather than sign a extension with the Chargers. So I’m interested in any trades that might be available for him. The Chargers are poison. Justin deserves a chance to show what he can really do.
Nobody forced him to sign extension. He is a adult and chose to sign with Chargers.
I thought that Lombardi put a better offense on the field than Moore. Seemed a bit more aggressive
A lot depends on how his college season ends. Leaving Georgia out of the playoffs increased Michigan’s chance of winning the CFP, which in turn could be the impetus for concluding his college tenure.
The bigger crime was Alabama and Texas included in the CFP at the expense of undefeated Florida State. CFP is fixed for the SEC just as the Academy Awards used to be fixed for Harvey Weinstein.
how can you not put in the winner of the SEC championship game? BTW I am a TN Vols fan and hate Alabama. I felt like Georgia got hosed as well. stop with the Fla State, they just are not the same team without their starting QB, it sucks and was unlucky, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.
Alabama = SEC. Texas = SEC in 2024. Florida State = ACC.
The CFP is fixed for the SEC. Just follow the money.
Once you get caught cheating 4 different ways, there’s nothing left to do but turn pro.
LA’s a bad place to live??? It’s great to live – lots of choices …Brentwood, Malibu, Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach, on & on.
I’d like to see Harbaugh back in the NFL. He brings a certain toughness to the table that many teams could use – the Chargers being among them.
Not sure the ‘tough’ approach works these days with the league headed to ‘soft’, though that might just be what SD, oops, LA needs. Someone to kick some hind ends and hold players accountable.
Thing with Jim he surrounds himself with decent coordinators and staff which is an asset.
I’m not a fan of his personality and previous behaviors but he does win and that’s a key point.
If everything you have done so far has been wrong, then wouldnt the opposite be right? The spanos should do the opposite of whatever they think. per George.