The San Diego Chargers have hired Ken Whisenhunt as the team's offensive coordinator, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Whisenhunt was previously the offensive coordinator for the Chargers during the 2013 season.
Former Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt returns to Chargers as offensive coordinator
The Chargers’ new offensive coordinator was also their offensive coordinator during their successful 2013 season.
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.
Whisenhunt left San Diego when he accepted the head coaching job with the Tennessee Titans prior to the 2014 season. He was fired by the Titans in November after Tennessee started the season 1-6. Whisenhunt's Titans won just two games during his first season as head coach.
The Chargers' offense fared well under Whisenhunt's leadership. San Diego finished the 2013 season 9-7 and secured a Wild Card playoff bid, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals, 27-10. They then lost in the Divisional round to the Denver Broncos, 24-17.
Quarterback Philip Rivers had one of his most successful seasons under Whisenhunt. Rivers completed a career-high 69 percent of his passes and was honored as the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
San Diego finished the 2015 season with a record of 4-12, and while the offense was ninth in the league in yards per game, the team finished just 26th in scoring. In 2013, Whisenhunt’s Chargers ranked fifth in total offense and 12th in scoring with 24.8 points per game. The Chargers ran the ball well during Whisenhunt’s previous tenure as offensive coordinator, averaging 122.8 yards per game. San Diego averaged just 84.9 yards per game on the ground in 2015.
Whisenhunt joins head coach Mike McCoy, whose contract was extended by the Chargers despite the abysmal 4-12 finish in 2015. The team parted ways with offensive coordinator Frank Reich last week, opening the door for Whisenhunt’s return.
What remains to be seen is where the Chargers will be playing next season. It’s possible the team will join the Rams and relocate to Los Angeles in 2016. The Chargers could opt to remain in San Diego for the 2016 season and relocate to Los Angeles in 2017. They also have the option of remaining in San Diego for the foreseeable future.
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