Chargers hiring Raiders TE coach Frank Smith as run-game coordinator

According to both ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez and The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, the Chargers are planning to hire Raiders tight end coach Frank Smith to be the team’s run-game coordinator.

Smith has been with the Raiders for the past three seasons. His most notable achievement in that time was unlocking the potential of tight end Darren Waller to become one of the best plays in the NFL at his position. Waller, a former sixth-round wide receiver out of Georgia Tech, was signed by the Raiders in 2018, at the same time as Smith. Over the past two seasons, Waller has accumulated 197 receptions for 2,241 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Anthony Lynn never had a run-game coordinator on his staff, so as things stand, the Chargers are not in a position to fire someone in order to fit Smith on their coaching staff. At this moment, James Campen is still listed as the team’s offensive line coach and Alfredo Roberts is still the tight ends coach on the team’s official website.