Los Angeles Chargers hires Rams’ Brandon Staley as coach, sources say

COSTA MESA, Calif. – The Los Angeles Chargers will sign Brandon Staley as head coach, sources confirmed to ESPN.

The NFL Network first reported the change.

Staley served last season as a defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, developing the top-ranked defense in the NFL, behind defensive star Aaron Donald and cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

Staley’s unit propelled the Rams into a 10-6 season and a wild card playoff victory over the Seattle Seahawks before the team left the postseason with a loss to the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. In his first year as NFL coordinator, Staley’s defense ranked first in efficiency, yards allowed per game and points allowed per game.

With the Chargers, Staley replaces coach Anthony Lynn, who was fired after four seasons and a 33-31 record.

Staley inherits a promising young defender from Justin Herbert and a defensive unit that includes defensive edge Joey Bosa and safety Derwin James.

38-year-old Staley has risen rapidly in the NFL standings since he was first hired as a coach in 2017 by the Chicago Bears. He spent two seasons in Chicago under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio before following Fangio to the Denver Broncos, where he spent a season as a coach for outside linebackers before joining the Rams team.

Before becoming an NFL coach, Staley trained for three seasons at John Carroll University, a Division III college in University Heights, Ohio, and also spent a season as a defensive coordinator at James Madison University.