According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, the Chargers are likely to hire their future general manager and head coach “simultaneously” in the process.
I’m told the expectation at this time for the #Chargers is that they’ll run their head coach & general manager searches simultaneously, per source.
Some early names surfacing around the HC vacancy at this preliminary stage include Dan Quinn, Eric Bienemy, Jim Harbaugh &…
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 2, 2024
The list of coaches is largely names that have been mentioned before. Jim Harbaugh’s name has picked up a lot of rumored traction over the weekend as Michigan’s postseason approaches a close. Bill Belichick has been at the top of Chargers’ odds lists since the firing of Brandon Staley. Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is also a name that has been rumored to have a potential Kellen Moore connection since the middle of this season.
Washington offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is a new name in this specific coaching cycle for the Chargers’ job. However, there is some history between the two sides. Bieniemy played for the Chargers in the 1990s for four seasons. As the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator in 2021, he also interviewed for the Chargers’ vacancy, which eventually resulted in the hiring of Staley.
Regarding Belichick and Harbaugh, the notion that the Chargers intend to conduct the search simultaneously could be significant. Belichick has had both responsibilities in New England for years. Harbaugh has also been a program builder at Michigan. He may also demand more of a personnel control component as head coach, given the San Francisco power struggle with Trent Baalke that ended Harbaugh’s tenure with the 49ers.
President of Football Operations John Spanos and former GM Tom Telesco worked together in control of the Chargers’ personnel moves in conjunction with head coaches since 2013. A significant change in how the Spanos family has run the front office could be afoot if a coach like Harbaugh or Belichick does end up signing on the dotted line.
