Buying or Selling Latest Rumors on Chargers Head Coaching Job

The hunt for the next Chargers' General Manager is coming to a close. It is being reported that the team will announce the successor to A.J. Smith within the next couple of days.

Once the team announces the next general manager, it will shift its focus to filling the head coaching vacancy. With other teams such as the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs having already filled their coaching vacancies, it is time for the Chargers to make their move.

This upcoming week will be the biggest week for the Chargers, as they will most likely narrow their choices in the upcoming days. Here is a list of the rumors surrounding the Chargers' coaching vacancy. 

Lovie Smith

SELL

Lovie Smith is probably the name that is picking up the most steam in the past couple of days. Since Smith was passed on by the both the Chiefs and the Bills, it seems that he has now shifted his attention to the San Diego Chargers, and it seems that the interest may be mutual.

As reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Chargers are interested in meeting with Smith about their coaching job.  The reason that this job does not make sense for both parties is that the Chargers are most likely looking for a head coach with offensive experience to help get their offense back on track. Smith comes from a defensive background and one that doesn’t quite fit the personnel on the Chargers roster.

Smith is going to get another chance at being a head coach in the NFL someday soon. He might just have to wait another year for the opportunity. The main reason Smith was fired in Chicago was he could not get the offense going with so many offensive-line issues. This sure sounds a lot like the struggles that Norv Turner could never overcome in San Diego.  

Smith will get his shot, it just won't be in San Diego. 

Jim Mora

BUY

Jim Mora being considered for the Chargers coaching job should not come as a surprise to many people. Mora wrapped up a great first season at UCLA and is filled with energy and excitement, two things that the Chargers will be looking for in their next coach.

The one knock on Mora would be that the Chargers are looking for someone who has not held multiple head coaching jobs and failed over the past decade. Mora had some good years in Atlanta but his job at the end and his performance with the Seahawks in 2009 may push the Chargers away.

The reason that the Chargers will look past his past and will keep driving their interest is the personnel that Mora could bring into San Diego. He has ties to the current defensive staff, which is a huge plus for the Chargers organization.  It is rumored that Mora would bring along Noel Mazzone, who was the offensive coordinator for the N.C. State Wolfpack when Philip Rivers was in college.

Mora would be a great fit in San Diego and for a guy who has such strong coaching history, you know he would love to coach in the NFL once again. All it might take is a trip down the Interstate 5. 

Mike Holmgren

SELL

CBS' Jason La Canfora reported that Mike Holmgren might be in the Chargers' plans but in reality, Mike Holmgren goes against everything that the Chargers are looking for in a head coach. Holmgren will want total control of the team, which is something that the Chargers are not willing to do.

Holmgren also doesn’t fit the “new energy” that the Chargers are trying to bring to this team.  Holmgren also fits into the retread category, something that the Chargers are trying to avoid.

The Holmgren to the Chargers rumor was drawn from the connection to Ron Wolf, who is helping the Chargers with their general manager and head-coaching search. Holmgren expressed interest in coaching the Dallas Cowboys if that job would become open, making the connection to Wolf the main drive behind this rumor.

Although Holmgren is a great football coach, he just is not the correct fit for the Chargers.  It makes sense for both sides to end this rumor and move on because both sides want completely different things than the other is willing to offer.

Bruce Arians

BUY

Bruce Arians has been the early favorite for the Chargers job since Norv Turner was fired last month. Now that the Colts are officially eliminated for the postseason, it is time for the Chargers to make their move.

Everything about Arians makes sense for the Chargers. He has never been a head coach in the NFL, but has been a great coordinator for years. He also has the connections to keep the defensive staff in place from last year, something that the organization wants.  

He likes to run a downfield passing offense, something that would work right away with the Chargers players in place. Philip Rivers would have a shot to get back on track in a system that fits him perfectly.

It seems that one of the finalists for the Chargers general manager opening is current Colts’ director of player personnel, Tom Telesco. If Telesco is hired, that could make the Arians move even more evident. 

Arians proved this season that he deserves to be a full-time head coach in the NFL. The Chargers need to wrap up their General Manager search quick before other teams such as the Eagles, Browns and Bears jump all over Arians.