Chargers coach Lynn fired after four seasons
The Los Angeles Chargers fired coach Anthony Lynn less than two seasons after he led the franchise to the playoffs.
Lynn is the sixth NFL coach fired this season, joining Houston’s Bill O’Brien, Atlanta’s Dan Quinn, Detroit’s Matt Patricia, Adam Gase of the New York Jets and Jacksonville’s Doug Marrone.
Los Angeles won its final four games to finish 7- 9, but it wasn’t enough to save Lynn’s job.
“I’m not sure there is another person in this league more respected as a human being than Anthony,” owner Dean Spanos said in a statement. “This is a resultsdriven business, and simply put, the results of the past two years have fallen short of expectations.”
Hired by the Chargers in January 2017, Lynn was the first Black head coach in franchise history. He went 33-31 with Los Angeles, but just 12-20 over the last two seasons. He had one year remaining on his contract.
Los Angeles started 0- 4 during Lynn’s first season in 2017, but finished 9-7 after winning six of the last seven games.
That served as a springboard to 2018 as the Chargers went 12- 4, which tied for the best record in the AFC. They defeated Baltimore in the wild card round before losing to New England in the divisional playoffs.
Trying to repeat that success has been elusive. They are 7-16 since the start of last season in games decided by eight points or fewer.
JAGUARS OWNER TO BE MORE
INVOLVED AFTER FIRING COACH » Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan plans to have the team’s next head coach and general manager report directly to him, a structure he expects will keep him in the loop on major personnel decisions.
Khan said he will have “roster control,” but he later clarified that to mean “you don’t want players going in
and out or contracts given until you’re aware of that.”
Khan fired coach Doug Marrone on Monday, a little more than 12 hours after ending the season with a 15th consecutive loss.
Marrone went 25- 44 in four-plus seasons in Jacksonville, including 2-1 in the postseason. The Jaguars just missed the franchise’s first Super Bowl in 2017 and
mired near the bottom of the league since. Marrone lost 21 of his final 24 games, including 15 by double digits. ELWAY GIVING UP GENERAL MANAGER ROLE » John Elway announced that he plans to relinquish his role as the general manager of the Broncos.
Elway, however, will remain as the team’s president of football operations and plans to hire a general manager that will work closely with head coach Vic Fangio. Elway has served as the Broncos’ general manager since 2011.
EVANS’ MRI SHOWS NO STRUCTURAL KNEE DAMAGE » An MRI performed on Mike Evans’ injured left knee showed no structural damage and the receiver’s status for Tampa Bay’s first playoff game in 13 years is day to day.
Evans was hurt during the first quarter of Sunday’s regular-season finale against Atlanta, one play after a 20yard reception made him the first player in NFL history to begin a career with seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
The Bucs (11-5) are in the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
BROWNS LOSE DE VERNON FOR PLAYOFFS » Browns starting defensive end Olivier Vernon ruptured his Achilles tendon during Sunday’s playoff-clinching win over Pittsburgh and is done for the season.
oach Kevin Stefanski said that Vernon, who has played well in his second year with Cleveland, will have surgery.
Stefanski declined a chance to update the status on top cornerback Denzel Ward, who missed Sunday’s game after testing positive for COVID-19 and could possibly return for the playoff game at Pittsburgh.
“Obviously I’m very disappointed for O.V.,” Stefanski said. “Was playing at a high level. We’re going to miss his leadership.”
Vernon’s loss is a major blow to the Browns’ defensive front, which will need to put pressure on Ben Roethlisberger to have any shot at ending Cleveland’s 17- game losing streak at Heinz Field. The Browns haven’t won in Pittsburgh since 2003.
Vernon got his ninth sack this season before getting hurt. As many of his concerned teammates knelt nearby, Vernon didn’t put any weight on his leg while being assisted to the sideline and then driven by cart to the locker room.