The Los Angeles Chargers swiftly moved on from head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco on Friday morning.
The move was a long-time coming after a horrific 5-9 start to the season on the heels of a tremendous playoff collapse at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars this past season.
So it was no surprise when Staley got fired, and fans had plenty of jokes to make about the news and ideas on who should replace him.
It should’ve happens after 2021 but it happened
— Luke Garrison (SonicHockeyCoolFanAccount) (@SHCBackupAcc) December 15, 2023
Brandon Staley being fired by the Chargers has been a long time coming.
Now Chargers fans can look forward to the future and maybe Bill Belichick. pic.twitter.com/CMyB51rdHh
— Michael Hauff (@TheFFRealist) December 15, 2023
took them long enough. Stop wasting Herberts career
— Tictacmagic (@tictacmagicNFT) December 15, 2023
It’s a miracle ‼️‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/XOCkwPx4gZ
— ⚡️ Virgil Hawkins⚡️ (@ColeWorldSIMBA) December 15, 2023
Wow, Spanos might actually be serious about trying to improve.
— Dave Cartwright (@TheChiefWildcat) December 15, 2023
Oddly enough, Staley finished with a 24-24 record after three seasons in Los Angeles.
He led the Chargers to two consecutive winning seasons in his first two years, but couldn’t make it past the Wild Card round after the Jaguars mounted a monumental comeback win to beat Los Angeles in a home playoff game.
Despite a plethora of talent on offense – from quarterback Justin Herbert to running back Austin Ekeler and wideouts Keenan Allen and Mike Williams – the Chargers failed to make huge waves in the AFC West.
The defense – which was allegedly Staley’s calling card – also floundered during his tenure and dropped to as low as 27th in the league this season.
Fortunately for Chargers fans, this job could be enticing for their next head coach.
Herbert is a bona fide star with talented, albeit aging, pieces around him and the defense has had its moments with players like Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
Los Angeles just needs a head coach that can lift them from mediocrity into contention in 2024.
There could be a lot of competition, though, with other teams looking to move on from their coaches as well.
NEXT: Chargers Owner Issues Strong Statement On Brandon Staley Firing
