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To the surprise of many in the fan base, the Chargers went in a much different direction than expected when they announced the hiring of former Rams defensive coordinator to be the team’s newest head coach and the 17th in the history of the franchise. The news came just an hour or so after the Bucs-Saints game divisional round game came to close on Sunday night, so most were essentially done with the excitement of the day when the dam broke unexpectedly.
With breaking news, there’s always going to be plenty of immediate reactions, so below I through together what was said about the Staley hire from current Chargers players and other members of the media.
Enjoy!
S Derwin James Jr.
⚡️⚡️⚡️
— Derwin James Jr (@DerwinJames) January 18, 2021
LB Kenneth Murray
Excited to see what this defense looks like!!!!!
— Kenneth Murray (@KennethMurray) January 18, 2021
CB Chris Harris Jr.
yessir Coach Staley https://t.co/kV7SlQhgT2
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) January 18, 2021
Good Morning Football’s Peter Schrager
Re: concerns w/ Brandon Staley being a “defensive coach” and Justin Herbert being a young QB...
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) January 18, 2021
Staley was a highly decorated HS QB in Ohio, played QB at Dayton, and has connected w/ QB’s at the Community College, D3, D1, and NFL levels.
Chargers got a great HC today. @gmfb
NFL Insider Albert Breer
One thing that was mentioned to me over the weekend: Brandon Staley is the rare defensive coach who sees the game through a quarterback's eyes. Which is really because he was one, at the Univ. of Dayton.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 18, 2021
Similar background in that way to Marvin Lewis.
The Lightning Round co-hosts Jamie Hoyle and Garrett Sisti
My thoughts in Brandon Staley as the head coach:
— The Lightning Round Podcast (@Lightning_Round) January 18, 2021
•This is still an investment in Herbert without making it all about Herbert
•It’s a major investment in the defensive core - Bosa, Derwin, Tranquill, Murray, etc
•He’s detail oriented, a teacher and connects with his players
My thoughts on the Chargers new HC Brandon Staley:
— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) January 18, 2021
In his first year as DC the Rams finished 1st in the NFL in fewest total yards allowed and also in passing defense. They were 3rd in rushing defense and scoring defense.
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper and Jourdan Rodrigue
My first thoughts on the Brandon Staley hire: He must have a damn good plan for his offensive coaching staff.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) January 18, 2021
For Chargers fans: My profile of your new head coach Brandon Staley, a teacher and seeking mind first and foremost, who Sean McVay hired as a relative unknown as he sought his own "Sean McVay" last spring. https://t.co/R9VH3zzVCv
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) January 18, 2021
Pro Football Focus
Aaron Donald Joey Bosa
— PFF LA Chargers (@PFF_Chargers) January 18, 2021
Jalen Ramsey Derwin James
Brandon Staley
Former NFL LB Sam Acho
Congrats to MY coach Brandon Staley on his head coaching job in LA. Smartest dude in the room (but doesn’t act like it), puts his players first (which is rare), loves his family well (which is also rare), & won’t have to move! Love you coach! This is only the beginning #Chargers
— Sam Acho (@TheSamAcho) January 18, 2021
The Atheltic’s Bruce Feldman
In 2017, Chattanooga coach Tom Arth hired a DC from his alma mater D3 power John Carroll. "Keep an eye on him. He's going to be big-time," says one of the Chat assistants. Today--four years and four days later--that DC (Brandon Staley) became the #Chargers head coach.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 18, 2021
NFL Network’s Omar Ruiz
Brandon Staley was a QB at the University of Dayton... like his now division rival, Jon Gruden was... so Dayton joins William & Mary & miami(Ohio) as schools to have produced multiple current NFL head coaches.
— Omar Ruiz (@OmarDRuiz) January 18, 2021
ESPN’s Mike Clay
The Jets will switch to a 4-3 "base" under Robert Saleh and the Chargers figure to move to a 3-4 with Brandon Staley at the controls.
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) January 18, 2021
Other Twitter reactions:
Brandon Staley passing Sean McVay at the grocery store pic.twitter.com/W8of2UKwoQ
— Brad Kelly (@BradKelly17) January 18, 2021
Wait so you telling me the Chargers gonna have the 13th pick, Brandon Staley ready to unleash MVP Herbert and Bosa/Derwin/Murray on Defense, and a top 5 roster next season???
— Tatis (@TatisMVP) January 18, 2021
Lol Chiefs in trouble pic.twitter.com/Qs1wfPJOEh
Brandon Staley?!?! pic.twitter.com/ClztuxxgZ9
— PFF LA Chargers (@PFF_Chargers) January 18, 2021