As predicted here many times, the San Diego Chargers have named Special Teams Coach Rich Bisaccia as their Assistant Head Coach after the departure of former Assistant Head Coach Steve Wilks. Bisaccia was the Assistant Head Coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2008-2010, with whom he also won a Super Bowl with.
Bisaccia was brought on by the Chargers to replace Steve Crosby, who took the brunt of the blame for the Bolts' historically bad 2010 season on Special Teams. From the Chargers' wonderful PR staff, here's a summary of what Bisaccia was able to do in his first year in San Diego:
He helped develop young special teams players like Richard Goodman (fourth in the NFL in kickoff returns), and Darrell Stuckey and Andrew Gachkar, who tied for the team lead with 12 special teams tackles each.
Kicker Nick Novak, brought in to replace an injured Nate Kaeding, made 27 of 34 field goals and set two team records under Bisaccia's watch, while Mike Scifres averaged a career high 47.5 yards per punt, none of which opposing players blocked or deflected (which happened five times in 2010).
The kickoff coverage unit took a leap forward, improving from 26th to 11th in the NFL. The Chargers also improved its punt coverage, allowing opponents 5.7 yards less per return and improving Scifres' net average by nearly nine yards.
Goodman's 105-yard kickoff return for a touchdown Jan. 1 at Oakland was a team record. The team also executed two successful onside kicks and a fake punt.
Bisaccia also famously mentored current NFL Head Coaches Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Leslie Frazier (Minnesota Vikings). It would appear that Bisaccia's chance to be a Head Coach is not too far away now.