San Diego Chargers inside linebacker Donald Butler makes tackle on Raiders running back Latavious Murray. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI |
License Photo
The Chargers hired former Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Richard Smith, who will be the linebackers coach for Los Angeles' newest NFL team in 2017.
Smith was fired by the Falcons after Super Bowl LI and interviewed with the Chargers last week. The Falcons' defense surrendered 31 consecutive points and 546 total yards in the 34-28 overtime loss to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. The Falcons led the Patriots 28-3 early in the second half before the largest comeback in Super Bowl history.
The Chargers on Monday announced their full coaching staff that will serve under new head coach Anthony Lynn.
"I am excited to have our coaching staff in place and we are all eager to get to work," Lynn said in a statement. "We have one of the most talented groups of coaches I have ever been around. There is a great mix of coaches with veteran experience and leadership as well as some very strong, young and innovative coaches. I am very excited to work alongside these men."
Just hours after the Chargers announced last month they were moving from San Diego to Los Angeles, the organization hired Lynn, the former Buffalo Bills interim head coach and offensive coordinator, as the team's head coach.
Offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, tight ends coach John McNulty, wide receivers coach Nick Sirianni, quarterbacks coach Shane Steichen and offensive assistant Mark Ridgely were retained from the 2016 staff under former head coach Mike McCoy.
Offensive line coach Pat Meyer joins the Chargers after a two-year stint coaching alongside Lynn for the Bills. Running backs coach Alfredo Roberts, assistant offensive line coach James Cregg and offensive quality control coach Dan Shamash are also new to the Chargers.
The Chargers hired Lynn's son, D'Anton, as a defensive assistant under defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. The team held onto defensive backs coach Ron Milus and defensive line coach Giff Smith and added assistant defensive line coach Eric Henderson and assistant defensive backs coach Chris Harris to the staff. Special teams coordinator George Stewart is another new arrival while his assistant Marquice Williams returns from McCoy's staff.
