Gus Bradley leaves Chargers to become Raiders’ defensive coordinator
Gus Bradley is leaving the Chargers but not the AFC West.
Bradley was hired Tuesday by Las Vegas to be head coach Jon Gruden’s defensive coordinator. He takes over for Paul Guenther, who was fired in mid-December.
Bradley, 54, spent the past four seasons with the Chargers. His defenses ranked in the top half of the NFL in total yardage each year but this season struggled to prevent points. The 2020 Chargers finished 23rd in points allowed.
Linebacker coach Richard Smith and defensive backs coach Ron Milus also left the Chargers on Tuesday to join Bradley with the Raiders.
Anthony Lynn hired Bradley to be his defensive coordinator in January of 2017. Lynn was fired by the Chargers last week after going 33-31 in four seasons.
Just because the Chargers have found their young franchise quarterback doesn’t mean the team will be seeking an offense-minded head coach, says Chargers GM Tom Telesco.
The Chargers continue to search for Lynn’s replacement. Those known to be candidates include eight NFL assistants:
Brandon Staley (Rams), Eric Bieniemy (Kansas City), Joe Brady (Carolina), Brian Daboll (Buffalo), Matt Eberflus (Indianapolis), Jason Garrett (New York Giants), Robert Saleh (San Francisco) and Arthur Smith (Tennessee).
General manager Tom Telesco has given no timetable to make a hire. The Chargers are one of seven teams looking for a head coach.
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