Many around the NFL believe the Los Angeles Chargers general manager and head coach jobs are among the most coveted openings in the NFL for one reason: quarterback Justin Herbert.
But team president John Spanos believes both jobs are desirable for many reasons beyond just who the team’s quarterback is — a sentiment he says has been expressed to him by several people outside of the organization.
“I've been very fortunate in the [coaching] searches that I have been a part of what has come through during the process is that ... this has been a very desirable place to be,” Spanos told ESPN. “... And I can tell you already in two days, that's been expressed to me on more than one occasion by outside contacts. And I'm grateful for that.”
The Chargers are searching for a new GM for the first time since 2013 when they hired Tom Telesco away from the Indianapolis Colts.
While Telesco built many competitive rosters and had a number of hits in the draft (Herbert, Keenan Allen, Joey Bosa, Hunter Henry, Derwin James, Rashawn Slater), he went through three head coaches that produced just two playoff wins during his tenure.
Tom Telesco & scouting staff built a playoff roster. And this job will be highly coveted by GM candidates. But this is an example of why there is more to winning games. It takes the right players and coaching. Many examples of that in the NFL this year. @chargers
— Blake Beddingfield (@BlakeBedd) December 15, 2023
Those three coaches — Mike McCoy, Anthony Lynn and Brandon Staley — had a combined 84-92 record and failed to take Telesco’s talented rosters and turn them into championship-contending rosters — something Spanos suggested is paramount in the next head coach the team hires.
“When I looked at these last two hires, we did some good things,” Spanos said. “We didn't get where we ultimately wanted to go, but I know that we're all going to learn from it, and we're going to do even better the next time. The commitment to winning and the commitment to do whatever it takes to get there is as strong as it's ever been and really will not waiver.”
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