Despite the growing malaise by most local fans and malcontent by some towards the head coach as San Diego's season swirls down the drain, Mike McCoy's seat might not be as hot as it appears. Others on the staff might not be so lucky.
The San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee reports, per a highly placed source, that Chargers management has been mulling the possibility of retaining McCoy and making changes to his staff on both sides of the ball.
Of course, that assumes McCoy would capitulate to such a stipulation in order to keep his job.
The Chargers are 3-9 for the first time since 2003. Teams with healthy franchise quarterbacks like Philip Rivers don't often fall to depths so low. For much of the season, Rivers has carried an injured and flawed squad. In Sunday's 17-3 loss to the Broncos, even he spit the bit. He threw for just 202 yards, his lowest passer rating in more than a year (57.1) and tossed his league-leading fifth pick-six.
"Realistically, there's nowhere else to go but up," offensive lineman Joe Barksdale said Sunday after the loss. "You can't score negative points."
Offensive coordinator Frank Reich has come under fire for play calling, but he's coaching with a banged-up line, missing receivers and a rookie running back who can't break a tackle. Reich received head coaching overtures last season and could again. Perhaps the Chargers hope someone poaches their offensive coordinator -- a la the Ravens and Jim Caldwell.
Defensive coordinator John Pagano has generally risen the play of the talent provided, but this season's unit lacks playmakers up front, and the back end has been dealing with injuries.
General manager Tom Telesco isn't going anywhere, having signed a three-year extension in the offseason. That security could play to McCoy's favor. When asked about the GM's deal, McCoy told reporters Sunday, "I am happy for Tom, but I was not offered a contract."
Perhaps McCoy will be allowed to keep steering the Chargers' ship if he's willing to readjust his sails. Of course, we saw the dysfunction caused in Miami this year when the brass decided to give a maligned coach one more shot.
