Chargers News: Bolts Select Interim Head Coach And GM

Your Los Angeles Chargers have wasted little time in finding their (temporary?) replacements for former head coach Brandon Staley and ex-general manager Tom Telesco, both of whom were let go this morning following a historically-terrible 63-21 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders Thursday.

Per the Chargers' official Twitter/X account, they have elevated Giff Smith to the interim head coaching role, and JoJo Wooden as their interim GM.

Smith, 55, had been the Chargers' defensive line coach from 2016-2021, before being moved to a role as LA's outside linebackers coach last season. 

Wooden had been the Bolts' director of player personnel since 2013, tasked with scouting players in both the pros and at the collegiate level.

Bolt up, gentlemen. These last three games for the 5-9 Chargers will prove to be a bumpy ride.

It's unclear who exactly will be playing down the home stretch of a lost season in Los Angeles for Wooden and Smith. 

Quarterback Justin Herbert had been putting up good enough numbers to perhaps be named to his second Pro Bowl team, though he lacked the positive results to go along with the stats. He underwent a season-ending surgery to his right index finger earlier in the week, prior to the Vegas contest. 

Five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen sat out Thursday's bout, too, with a heel injury. Will the 32-year-old want to suit up again, with the playoffs now basically out of reach? Mike Williams, who had started alongside Allen at the beginning of the season, tore his ACL during a 28-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings in September, so he's not coming back to SoFi any time this year, either.

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