The San Diego Chargers announced that Mike McCoy will remain in the head coach role for a fourth season, killing any rumors that he could be fired. They followed that up on Friday by announcing a one-year extension for McCoy, keeping him with the team through 2017.
Chargers extend Mike McCoy through 2017 despite worst season yet
Even after finishing 4-12, the Chargers extended head coach Mike McCoy through 2017.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Team president John Spanos said in a letter posted to the team’s website that while they are disappointed with the results of the 2015 season, Spanos, McCoy and general manager Tom Telesco have already begun evaluating the changes that must be made to improve in 2016.
The Chargers have reportedly fired offensive coordinator Frank Reich, and more changes could be coming. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team is likely to part ways with defensive coordinator John Pagano. Pagano has been with the Chargers since 2012. The Chargers defense featured many young players and experienced some growing pains throughout the 2015 season.
After two consecutive 9-7 seasons, one of which was enough to lead the Chargers to a playoff berth in 2013, McCoy’s Chargers fell to last place in the AFC West and finished well below .500 with a final record of 4-12.
Despite starting quarterback Philip Rivers getting a big contract extension and despite the Chargers getting a huge season out of him, the Chargers came out looking flat on both sides of the ball.
McCoy wasn't exactly dealt a strong hand this year, with the suspension to top offensive weapon Antonio Gates for the first course of the season and a slew of injuries that would have gutted the best teams in the league.
Keenan Allen, Branden Oliver, Tourek Williams, Chris Watt, Brandon Flowers and Corey Liuget were all placed on injured reserve this season. King Dunlap, Orlando Franklin and D.J. Fluker are other offensive linemen who were injured throughout the year, and receivers Malcom Floyd and Stevie Johnson both dealt with injuries on that side of the ball. When Gates came back, it didn't take long for him to get on the injury list himself.
The Chargers were an absolute wreck in 2015, but it’s almost understandable. At one point in the season, they had a six-game losing skid. McCoy was dealt a bad hand, but back-to-back seasons without double-digit wins also hurt his cause. He did manage to win a playoff game in 2013, but the Chargers fell in the AFC Divisional round.
The Chargers also lost every single divisional game this season, falling to the Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos twice each.
This has been McCoy's only head coaching job in the NFL. He's been a coach in the NFL since 2000, spending time with the Carolina Panthers and Broncos before joining the Chargers in 2013.
Now the biggest question surrounding the Chargers is where the team will play next season. They’re one of three teams, including the Rams and Raiders, who are expected to officially apply Monday for relocation to L.A.
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