Shane Steichen was a bit of a mystery to the local reporters in Southern California when the Los Angeles Chargers promoted him to be the offensive coordinator midway through a rough 2019 season.
Steichen, who replaced Ken Whisenhunt, often left beat reporters wanting more during his weekly news conferences that averaged less than 10 minutes. (I covered the Chargers for The Orange County Register at the time.) All we knew about Steichen was that he played quarterback at UNLV and many in the building, including Philip Rivers, had high hopes for him as a coach and play-caller. (Also, he reminded me of the actor Dax Shepard.)
Steichen was reserved with reporters as a rookie coordinator, but it was clear then he’d soon be the next offensive mastermind in the NFL. Multiple quarterbacks have flourished under his watch, from Justin Herbert’s record-filled rookie season with the Chargers to helping Jalen Hurts break out with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 and ’22.
