No disrespect to Jimmy Raye, but the San Diego Chargers knocked it out of the park with the decision to hire Tom Telesco as the team's new general manager.

According to the San Diego Chargers:

Here's your new #ChargersGM Tom Telesco. In case you want to know what Tom looks like. twitter.com/chargers/statu…

— San Diego Chargers (@chargers) January 9, 2013

Telesco began his NFL career as a scouting assistant for the Carolina Panthers in 1995 before becoming a full-blown scout in 1997. 

In 1998, Telesco left the Panthers to scout for Bill Polian and the Indianapolis Colts, where he held that position until being promoted to the director of pro scouting in 2004. He was later promoted to director of player personnel in 2006.

When the Colts let go of Bruce Arians last year, Telesco was promoted to the position of vice president of football operations.

Needless to say, Telesco has the experience to take over for A.J. Smith in San Diego, and his scouting background will do the team a world of good. 

First order of business: Fix the offensive line.
Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

The Chargers need to retool on all fronts.

The team's offensive line is in shambles, Smith let much of the team's skill players leave via free agency the past few years and the defense has some serious holes to fill.

It's going to take a series of strong drafts to get things right in San Diego, and Telesco is the perfect man to make it happen.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:

From Tony Dungy, on new #Charger GM Tom Telesco: "He knows what good players look like. He is very adept at identifying them & finding them"

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2013

Dungy should know because Telesco was one of the men responsible for stocking Dungy's Colts with talent during his run as the team's head coach. 

The next order of business for Telesco will be determining which head coach to bring in. Then, it's time to get ready for his first NFL draft as a team's general manager. 

The stakes couldn't be higher for the Chargers—a team that has taken a nosedive the past few seasons due to mismanagement. Thankfully for its fans, San Diego has begun its new era with a perfect hire.

Telesco will right the ship, and it won't be long before the Chargers are once again a force to be reckoned with in the AFC West. 

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78