Chargers tab Tom Telesco for GM

“Our goal here is to create a culture and foundation of consistent winning,” Telesco said. “We want to win on the field and we want to win off of it too.”

Telesco stressed the importance of having one vision from ownership down to the coaches and players, and to work together to make that vision a reality.

One of Telesco’s first orders of business will be to hire a new head coach. In addition to Smith, the Chargers also fired head coach Norv Turner. With his ties to the Colts, there is some speculation Raye could bring Colts’ offensive coordinator Bruce Arians with him to San Diego.

The Chargers will choose between Telesco and their own director of player personnel, Jimmy Raye.

The Chargers are trying to replace former general manager A.J. Smith, who was fired Dec. 31 along with coach Norv Turner. Smith was the general manager for the Chargers since 2003.

According to Breer, the Chargers just wrapped up a three-plus day trip during which they conducted multiple interviews. Raye and Telesco reportedly were “very impressive” during their interviews.

As Bolts from the Blue’s John Gennaro points out, San Diego’s interest in Ross signals that they “intend to stick with the philosophy of building through the draft.”

It’s pretty clear at this point that the Chargers intend to bring in a new GM first but with the head coaching market being as competitive as ever, that hiring should come sooner rather than later.

The Chargers fired former GM A.J. Smith and head coach Norv Turner on black Monday, ending two tenures that many felt should have ended much sooner than they did.

The Chargers finished 7-9 this season and missed the playoffs, despite what many viewed as a talented roster.

Team president Dean Spanos thanked both men while citing his commitment to building a Super Bowl winning team: