Mike McCoy a San Diego Charger: Who won, who lost?

The San Diego Chargers are borrowing heavily from the Indianapolis Colts' approach a season ago. With Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy accepting the head-coaching job in San Diego, the Chargers are starting completely fresh with a young GM/coach tandem that can grow up together.

Borrowing the Colts model included hiring a Colts front-office member. New Chargers general manager Tom Telesco was with the Colts from 1998 to 2011, his final six years as director of player personnel. Those Colts teams were built on offense, and we suspect the Chargers will lean that way as well.

The Chargers didn't take any half measures by keeping GM A.J. Smith or hiring a familiar head coach. There was no promotion from within the front office. It was time for a complete reboot. Let's look at some winners and losers from the move.

Winners

Philip Rivers: He had a great relationship with Norv Turner, but it was time for a fresh start. McCoy has worked with quarterbacks as varied as Jake Delhomme, Kyle Orton, Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning. He has worked under John Fox, Josh McDaniels and Peyton Manning. (Yes, Manning brings his own system with him.) McCoy's best selling point is adaptability.

Mike McCoy: This sounds obvious enough, but the Chargers job was perhaps the best available because of the presence of Rivers and some young quality talent on the defensive side of the ball. This is a roster that should compete right away in a bad division.

Chargers fans: They wanted a fresh start. They got it. The Broncos lost a stunner Saturday, and then the Chargers stole their coach. If Denver made the Super Bowl, would San Diego have been patient to get him? Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego says no. The team likely would have hired its coach this week and moved on without McCoy if the Broncos won.

Josh McDaniels: He now has a coaching tree! (Yes, we're kidding. It would be more like a bonsai.)

Losers

John Fox: He has to replace a coordinator for the second consecutive year. The Denver Post wonders if Manning's old buddy Tom Moore from his Colts days could wind up with the Broncos.

Arizona Cardinals: McCoy reportedly was high on their list, if not on top of it. The team now could turn to defensive coordinator Ray Horton or Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

Bruce Arians: Telesco and Bruce Arians worked together in Indianapolis. Arians sure seemed to prefer this Chargers job based on multiple reports. He still has a shot to get the Chicago Bears job but isn't seen as the favorite there.

Lovie Smith: It's hard to imagine him getting a head-coaching job now. San Diego looked like his best chance.

The coaching search tracker: With McCoy in place, we suspect the Philadelphia Eagles and the Bears should follow suit shortly. The Jacksonville Jaguars started their process later and might keep the tracker alive into next week.

Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.