Kris Rhim, ESPND18. December 2023, 8:05 p.m. ET
COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Chargers team president John Spanos said the team will have “no limitations” in hiring its next head coach and general manager, from experience to salary, seeking to push back on the narrative that the organization is not prepared to spend money on trainers and managers.
“I think sometimes it's maybe the failures that help you grow the most – that you can learn the most from,” Spanos said Monday, speaking for the first time since the firing of coach Brandon Staley and GM Tom Telesco last Week. “And I think as owners we always have to strive to be better.”
Spanos declined to discuss the details of why he and his father, team owner Dean Spanos, fired Staley and Telesco midway through the season, but the decision came a day after the Chargers lost 63 on “Thursday Night Football.” 21 had lost to the Las Vegas Raiders. It was one of the most embarrassing losses in NFL history, not just because of the margin, but also because it came against a Raiders team that didn't have much to offer – a team that had already fired its own head coach and general manager .
Thursday's loss spanned three seasons under Staley and 11 disappointing seasons for Telesco. John Spanos — who began working for his father's team as a seasonal assistant in 1995, was promoted to vice president of football operations in 2013 and president in 2015 — was complicit in all of the Chargers' shortcomings.
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Spanos' first big hire of 2013 was Telesco, and six days later they collectively hired Mike McCoy as head coach. Since then, the Chargers fired McCoy, then hired and fired Anthony Lynn and Staley.
In total, the three coaches and Telesco achieved two playoff victories in eleven seasons.
“In my opinion, everything starts with personal responsibility, so I think ultimately we are responsible for everything,” Spanos said.
When asked why fans should trust the Spanos family to hire the right people this time, Spanos said he has “compassion” with the feelings of anger, frustration and disappointment fans may be feeling. But said they had learned from past mistakes.
“When I looked at the last two hires, we did some good things,” Spanos said. “We didn't achieve the goal we ultimately wanted to achieve, but I know we will all learn from this and that we will do even better next time. The commitment to win and the commitment to do whatever it takes to get there is as strong as ever and really won’t give up.”
Spanos explained the commitment to success as “providing the resources” and supporting whatever the next front office needs. This was a notable point from Spanos, as resources and money, particularly for coaches, were a criticism of this organization.
Lynn, who coached the Chargers from 2017 to 2020, said in a 2022 Los Angeles Times article that the “resources” in his new position as associate head coach and running backs coach with the San Francisco 49ers are “different.” the Chargers during his time with the San Francisco 49ers.
However, Spanos dismissed that narrative, citing the opening of their new facility in El Segundo next spring and their investment in players. He said that he “never felt or saw any restrictions due to cash or any other reasons.”
“I think if you look at the last three coaching hires we've made, all three coaches were in such demand that if we didn't step up and get them, they would get other jobs. “Right?” said Spanos. “So we competed for players, we competed for personnel, you know, we compete for a new facility.”
Asked if the franchise would be willing to spend $20 million to $25 million on a coach, Spanos said in part: “I can tell you there have been no discussions internally about there being a cap.”
Although the Chargers are projected to be $34.8 million over the salary cap next year, according to ESPN's Roster Management System, their coaching and general manager positions are expected to be among the most coveted this cycle, due in part to quarterback Justin Herbert can be traced back. This is a point that Spanos recognized, but is not his focus.
“I was very lucky [coaching] “We discovered that I was a part of what came through during the process, that … this was a very desirable location,” Spanos said. “…and I can tell you in just two days that this was the case.” This was expressed to me on more than one occasion by external contacts. And I’m grateful for that.”
As for Staley and Telesco, Spanos said there was never any consideration of firing them before Thursday, even after the Chargers' playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, where the team blew a 27-point first-half lead , the third-most in playoff history. Spanos said he feels like the team is still on a positive path despite the loss.
He also said that he had no regrets about keeping Telesco as general manager for eleven seasons.
“I think in hindsight it will always be 2020,” Spanos said. “…Never before have we felt that a change would be in the best interest of the team; otherwise we would have done it.”
The Chargers' next three games are against teams that are all seeking a playoff push: the Buffalo Bills, the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chargers are led by interim coach Giff Smith, who served as outside linebackers coach, and Jojo Wooden, who served as director of player personnel. Spanos said the next three games will be “business as usual” for this team.
“We’re not worried about getting a high draft pick,” Spanos said. “We want to win the next three games.”
Spanos declined to comment on whether Smith, Wooden or any of the Chargers' current staff members have a chance to become head coach or general manager.
“Right now it would be a big mistake to say a firm yes or no to a candidate,” he said. “I will not limit the search in any way.”