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Chargers tap Ken Whisenhunt as offensive coordinator

Ken Whisenhunt is returning to the Chargers.

The team announced Friday that Whisenhunt is the Chargers' new offensive coordinator.

Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune first reported the development.

The move had been speculated since San Diego fired offensive coordinator Frank Reich earlier this month.

Whisenhunt spent one season as the Chargers' offensive coordinator under coach Mike McCoy in 2013, before being hired to coach the Tennessee Titans in 2014. Whisenhunt was fired from his Titans post after seven games this season, finishing with a 3-20 record.

Whisenhunt's familiarity with McCoy and Philip Rivers should be a boon for a franchise that could make a swift turnaround from their 4-12 record. The Chargers finished fifth in the NFL in yards per game and 12th in scoring under the coordinator in 2013.

First on the Whiz's to-do list is jumpstarting a marred running game, specifically disappointing rookie Melvin Gordon. In his one season as coordinator, the Chargers ran the ball well with Ryan Mathews toting the rock 285 times for 1,255 yards. If the Chargers could coax anything close to that production out of their current stable of backs, Rivers' quick-pass attack and play-action will be much more viable.

Bringing back Whisenhunt made too much sense to pass up.