San Diego Chargers Rumors: Mike McCoy May Be Off The Hot Seat, Set To Return As Coach In 2016
The San Diego Chargers rumors are shifting rapidly, with new reports that Mike McCoy may be off the hot seat and staying on as the team’s coach.
Within the past week, sources close to the team have claimed that McCoy was likely to be a casualty of the NFL’s “Black Monday,” the day after the season ends when coaches are traditionally fired. Many believed that the lackluster season and the failure to capitalize off a strong offense would lead to McCoy’s departure, but now the tide is changing.
Reports late on Saturday indicated that Mike McCoy may have the support to remain in his job.
Chargers expected to retain Mike McCoy. Decision to be finalized Monday. Philip Rivers: “Mike’s not the problem.” https://t.co/azZLkVZaG1
— Michael Gehlken (@UTgehlken) January 2, 2016
The SB Nation site Bolt from the Blue reported on the San Diego Chargers rumors:
“[Michael] Gehlken, from the San Diego Union-Tribune, seems to be of the mindset that McCoy will be retained. He does, however, state in the article that ‘Time will tell for certain’ so it would appear nothing has been decided officially.”
The report went on to say: “Some other teams have put out public statements in support of their head coach when rumors have been going around about their status (see Jacksonville Jaguars) while others have been a bit more vague like the Indianapolis Colts. This feels along the lines of what the Colts owner Jim Irsay had to say about their head coach, that nothing has been decided at this point for 2016 and beyond.”
The rumors regarding the San Diego Chargers turned around within a matter of hours. On Saturday afternoon, the prevailing sentiment around the league was that McCoy would be fired. A number of sources had told Fox Sports that McCoy would likely be gone shortly after Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos.
His record may have something to do with those rumors. Mike McCoy is 22-25 in three seasons with the team, with one playoff appearance, a wild card berth.
REPORT: San Diego Chargers to fire Mike McCoy after Sunday’s game https://t.co/6KDK1yUUnN pic.twitter.com/4oDH2tPeE2
— Bolts From The Blue (@BFTB_Chargers) January 2, 2016
Chargers reportedly expected to retain head coach Mike McCoy. https://t.co/yEM9qKr8kt pic.twitter.com/BiRBiGeuS2
— theScore (@theScore) January 3, 2016
Some of the rumors were related to the San Diego Chargers very likely moving to Los Angeles. The team is one of three bidding for a franchise in the nation’s second-largest market, and they are believed to have an inside track with the league.
If they did move, many think the Chargers had a strong chance to pick up Sean Payton, the New Orleans Saints head coach who is reportedly on the trading block. Payton has family connections to Southern California, and sources said the Saints would be willing to part with him if the price was right.
Mike McCoy hasn’t spoken directly about the rumors that he could be fired, but has talked about finishing the season with some momentum.
He said, via DenverBroncos.com:
“That’s been the whole last month of the season, is to finish. That’s the way that we’ve approached it. I think our players and the staff have done a phenomenal job of fighting through a very difficult year. The coaches and the leaders of the team, with the way that they’ve put things together, you look to the bitter end of every game. They’ve fought their tails off. We have to go out and finish the right way this weekend.”
If the latest San Diego Chargers rumors are true, then it could be one fewer team jumping into the coaching carousel. This year has already seen a number of firings, including Chip Kelly being jettisoned from the Philadelphia Eagles even before the season ended. Other coaches rumored to be fired on Monday include Chuck Pagano of the Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin, who will likely be given the chance to resign as a sign of respect for his accomplishments over the past 11 years.
[Picture by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images]
