5 replacements for Mike McCoy with San Diego Chargers
By John Buhler
The San Diego Chargers have parted ways with head coach Mike McCoy. Here are five replacements for McCoy this downtrodden AFC West franchise.
After losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17, the San Diego Chargers decided to fire head coach Mike McCoy. McCoy spent four seasons in San Diego, but only made the AFC Playoffs once in 2013.
He was nearly ousted earlier in the year, but a Thursday Night Football win over the Denver Broncos combined with a mid-season surge kept McCoy around all season. The Chargers could be on the verge of being relocated to Los Angeles. Maybe a rebrand is coming, too?
If owner Dean Spanos wants a clean break for the upcoming move, here are five replacements the Chargers organization could look at over McCoy for 2017.
Matt Patricia
Defensive Coordinator, New England Patriots
There is a good chance that New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia might get a few interviews on this head coaching carousel. He’s not had the hype of his New England counterpart in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, but Patricia should at least be considered for this Chargers job.
While most NFL teams will be looking for an offensive-minded coach, San Diego could be looking to go in the other direction. That is because McCoy was an offensive-minded coach and that blew up in the Chargers organization’s face. Patricia will be one of the better defensive minds to get a few looks at this January/February.
His New England is dominant at varying levels over his tenure in Foxborough. Some times it is the pass rush, other times it is the secondary. Regardless of what area of the Patriots defense thrives under Patricia, he is able to get the most out of the talent that head coach/general manager Bill Belichick brings into the organization.
Patricia specializes in defensive line play and San Diego has a budding superstar in the pass rush in rookie Joey Bosa. San Diego has a ton of talent at all levels of its defense. Defensive coordinator John Pagano has done well with the Chargers, but his alignment with McCoy might remove him from the head coaching opportunity. His brother Chuck Pagano has been so-so with the Indianapolis Colts. Patricia will be one of the better defensive coaches San Diego could land.