In their latest search for an offensive coordinator, the Chargers have just interviewed a former head coach.
The Chargers announced on Friday that they had completed an interview with former Bengals defensive coordinator and Titans head coach Brian Callahan. He had called plays for the Cincy offense under Zac Taylor form 2019 to 2023. However, once hired by the Tennessee Titans, he only lasted a year before being fired.
However, in his time with Cincinnati, he was part of a coaching staff that won two AFC North titles and appeared in two AFC championship games and a Super Bowl. In those two years he was one of the best offensive play callers in football, as his offense ranked eighth in EPA per play at 0.049. They also ranked sixth in scoring and seventh in passing. To top it all off, QB Joe Burrow ranked eighth in passing yards in that span.
A Proven Play Caller With AFC Success
Callahan’s other positive accolades on his resume is his familiarity with the AFC West. Before his time in Cincinnati, he had a brief stint as a coaching assistant with the Broncos in 2010, and then serving as their offensive quality control and assistant over the next five seasons. Then, after a brief stint with the Lions, he became the quarterbacks coach for the Raiders in 2018.
Some may say his worst tenure in the NFL was as the Titans head coach. While he oversaw the drafting of No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward, the Titans floundered all season long, getting off to a 1-5 start and ultimately finishing the season without him after those six games. Overall, through two seasons, Callahan had a 4-19 record in 23 games.
During his search for a new role, he has also interviewed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ vacant offensive coordinator position.
Can Callahan Be the Answer for Justin Herbert?
The Chargers parted ways with Greg Roman just days after a wild card round loss to the Patriots. Chargers fans and staff alike hope that the next hire can remedy some of the offensive issues that plagued them in that game in Foxboro. Most importantly, they must gel with quarterback Justin Herbert.
Herbert, despite playing exceptionally well down the stretch whilst battling a hand injury, was still under relentless pressure behind a makeshift O-line all season long. In fact, he was sacked a total of 60 times, including six times in the playoff loss alone. Most embarrassing of all is that in two playoff games in two seasons, the offense has only managed to score two touchdowns and 15 points overall.
While Callahan may not prove to be the best hire or the most appealing to Chargers fans, he still has the NFL experience and familial ties to the league that organizations love. In fact, on his Titans staff, his father Bill coached the offensive line. Also, some may say that Callahan was put into a bad situation with Tennessee, as he didn’t have the talent necessary to have success.
Some may say that should Callahan be hired, he would be in a similar scenario as he was in Cincinnati. It still remains to be seen if he gets that chance.
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