Chargers coaching speculation: Who will lead the Bolts in 2013?

AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

Is any San Diego Chargers fan really surprised that their team had yet another disappointing season under head coach Norv Turner? — Didn’t think so.

The Chargers are out of playoff contention and now, one has to wonder what the San Diego front office is waiting for. It’s a foregone conclusion that Norv will finally be ousted putting Chargers fans out of years of misery and underachievement. Gone are the talents of Drew Brees, Ladainian Tomlinson, Vincent Jackson, and Michael Turner. No, it wasn’t necessarily Norv who let those players go, but it was on his watch that their Super Bowl caliber talent was wasted. Also gone are the primes of current quarterback Philip Rivers and Tight End Antonio Gates. The Chargers will need to rebuild and what a better way to start than with some coaching speculation.

Here are three possible candidates to coach the San Diego Chargers in 2013.

Rex Ryan: If you can remember back to 2007, Rex Ryan was one of the names passed up by the Chargers to replace Marty Schottenheimer. Assuming that the New York Jets send Ryan and his antics packing after the season, could the outspoken coach land in America’s finest city? Unlike Turner, Ryan is brash and bold and could be what the Chargers need to succeed. Ryan sparked controversy in 2011 when prior to the Jets-Chargers game he stated that if he had the teams Norv Turner has had in San Diego, he (Ryan), would have won multiple Super Bowls. Ryan just may get the opportunity to put his money where his mouth is in 2013.

Wade Phillips: Once upon a time Wade Phillips was the defensive coordinator of the Chargers.  From 2004-2006, he coached San Diego’s 3-4 attack that culminated in a 14 win season where his prized defense made a costly mistake in the playoffs fumbling a Tom Brady interception late in the game that would have sealed the deal.  As mentioned earlier Schottenheimer was fired soon after and Phillips went on to become the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.   Phillips was hired for two other head coaching gigs in addition to Dallas but none of his three stints resulted in much success. Phillips is a lot like Turner in the way of being a stellar coordinator whose success never carried over to his head coaching jobs. Because of that, Phillips would be the perfect hire for the Chargers as the franchise historically likes to go after underachieving retreads.  Will it happen? First Wade would have to be willing to leave his prestigious position as the Houston Texans defensive coordinator.

Lane Kiffin: Is the USC Head Coach ready for a return to the NFL? After a disappointing 7-5 season by his once heavily favored Trojans, 2013 could be Kiffin’s opportunity to bolt back into the league. Kiffin last coached in the NFL in 2008 with the Oakland Raiders where he was eventually run out of town and the NFL, by the late Al Davis. As a head coach, Kiffin has yet to prove himself a winner but again this makes him perfect for the Chargers job. It’s unlikely that Chargers ownership will be willing to pay Kiffin more than he’s making at USC, but if Lane wants a little revenge against division rival Oakland Raiders, the Chargers and Kiffin could be a great fit.

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