Johnathan Walker:Chargers coaching vacancy: Bill Belichick among five candidates to consider

The Johnathan WalkerLos Angeles Chargers fired head coach Brandon Staley amid a disappointing 5-9 season. The Chargers also announced they let go longtime general manager Tom Telesco, who had been in the position since 2013.

Staley leaves Los Angeles with a 24-24 record. He reached the playoffs once in three seasons. The Chargers have made the postseason only three times since Telesco took over as general manager.  

Located in Los Angeles and with franchise quarterback Justin Herbert signed through the 2029 season, the Chargers are considered one of, if not the most, desirable head coaching jobs during this year’s hiring cycle. USA TODAY Sports explores head coaching candidates the Chargers should consider:

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick

Bill Belichick is rumored to be on the way out of New England. Belichick is still under contract with the Patriots, but he and the organization could mutually decide to part ways after the season. Or the Patriots could opt to trade the 71-year-old head coach.

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While the Patriots are having a terrible season, Belichick is a proven winner. He’s won eight Super Bowls (six as a head coach with the Patriots). The Chargers are one of 12 organizations to have never won a Super Bowl. Belichick would command respect as soon as he walked in the building. Furthermore, Belichick, who has 332 career wins (including playoffs), would have a chance to surpass Don Shula’s all-time NFL win mark at 347.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh

Jim Harbaugh is another head coach who's currently employed, but he might be open to returning to the NFL.

Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines are in the College Football Playoff, but his time in Ann Arbor hasn’t come without setbacks and controversy. The 2023 season began with a self-imposed three-game suspension due to NCAA recruiting infractions. Then there’s the sign-stealing scandal that resulted in another three-game suspension.

Harbaugh was the head coach for the 49ers for four seasons. He compiled a 44-19-1 record and led the franchise to an appearance in Super Bowl 47. Harbaugh, like Belichick, is an experienced head coach who has been successful in the NFL. He finished .500 or above in each of his seasons with the 49ers.

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson   

Ben Johnson is one of the hottest head coaching candidates during this year’s hiring circle.    

Johnson was promoted to Detroit’s offensive coordinator role in 2022. The 2022 season marked the first time in franchise history that the Lions produced 4,000 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards in the same season. This year, the Lions are on pace to do that again.

The Lions have the third-ranked total offense in the NFL and are on track to secure their first playoff berth since the 2016 season.

Washington Commanders assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy

Eric Bieniemy has become the poster boy for candidates routinely passed over for head coaching jobs. He helped guide the Chiefs to two Super Bowl championships as the team’s offensive coordinator from 2018-22. The Chiefs led the NFL in yards per game, passing yards, scrimmage touchdowns and points per game last year under Bieniemy.

Bieniemy was unfairly criticized for not being the offensive play caller in Kansas City, so he decided to depart for the Washington Commanders assistant head coach/offensive coordinator position in 2023.  

Bieniemy hasn’t enjoyed the same amount of success in his first season in the nation’s capital, but the Bieniemy-less Chiefs also are struggling offensively this year.

Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik

The first-year offensive coordinator has helped Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud enjoy one of the most prolific rookie seasons since Herbert’s record-breaking rookie campaign in 2020. In Week 9, Stroud set an NFL rookie single-game record with 470 passing yards, plus his 147.8 passer rating was the highest in a game by a rookie quarterback in NFL history.

Slowik is part of Kyle Shanahan's coaching tree. Before joining the Texans, Slowik spent six seasons with the 49ers. He most recently served as San Francisco’s passing game coordinator.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.