A day after the Los Angeles Rams fell to the Green Bay Packers 32-18 in the NFC Divisional Round, Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley was named the new head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. In 2020, the Rams’ defense was ranked first in defensive points per game (282.1), first in pass yards allowed (190.7), fourth in defensive yards per rush (91.4), and ninth in defensive turnovers (22).
The 38-year-old from Perry, OH, was the Rams’ defensive coordinator for one season after spending three seasons as the Bears’ outside linebacker’s coach. Before making the jump to the NFL, he spent ten years in college, beginning in 2006 as a graduate assistant at Northern Illinois. He would then become a defensive line/special teams coach for division three St. Thomas (MN) for one season.
He then became an associate head coach/defensive coordinator at a community college called the Hutchinson Blue Dragons for two seasons. Between the years 2012 to 2016, he spent his time in Tennessee, John Carroll, and James Madison.
The President of Football Operations John Spanos on the hiring of Staley said, “It doesn’t matter if you’ve known Brandon for five minutes or five years, what quickly becomes apparent is the amount of energy and passion he approaches each and every moment with. The consistency of that enthusiasm is unique and, most importantly, it drives his ability to connect with people. His coaching journey to this particular moment is inspiring; if not for the sheer perseverance and determination of it all, then certainly for the dramatic results it has produced for the teams and players he has coached. I know it’s cliché but I know Brandon quite literally cannot wait to get to work. I also know we cannot be more excited to have him as the Head Coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.”
The Chargers finished 7-9 in 2020 and will have the thirteenth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. In 2021, the Chargers will play in the AFC North, NFC East, the New England Patriots, and the AFC West.
