The San Francisco 49ers have made a contentious choice by conducting an interview for the defensive coordinator position with a former head coach who was dismissed in 2023.
Brandon Staley’s tenure as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers ended with widespread disappointment, leaving behind what many viewed as a fractured locker room upon his departure. A source within the team described the situation as more complex than solely attributing it to Staley’s leadership.
“In essence, when you decide to part ways with a coach, you’re implying that there’s another individual out there who could guide our team to greater success, potentially even winning the Super Bowl in their first or second year, whereas Staley might not have achieved that level of success even in his third, fourth, or fifth year,” remarked the team source. “While not impossible, it seems improbable. There are underlying issues beyond just the coaching.”
Staley’s record with the Chargers stood at 24-24, with his dismissal coming amid a disappointing 5-9 season, notably marked by a humiliating 63-21 loss to division rival Las Vegas Raiders.
Adding to the disappointment was a playoff collapse that will be remembered as one of the NFL’s most stunning reversals. The Chargers squandered a 27-0 lead, allowing the Jacksonville Jaguars to stage the third-largest comeback in NFL playoff history.
Before his stint with the Chargers, Staley served as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, who compete in the same division as the San Francisco 49ers. Under his guidance, the Rams boasted the league’s top-ranked defense, becoming the sole team to concede fewer than 300 total points in the season. They also surrendered the fewest passing yards and the third-fewest rushing yards. While Staley had just one year of experience as an NFL defensive coordinator, his impact in the 2020 season underscored his capabilities in the role.
