Chargers Could Hire One of Three Internal Candidates As New Defensive Coordinator

The Los Angeles Chargers are searching for a new defensive coordinator for next season after the Baltimore Ravens hired former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as the franchise’s head coach on Thursday.

The Chargers have reportedly requested an interview with Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. And there are also three internal candidates Los Angeles could consider promoting to the defensive coordinator role.

Chargers general manger Joe Hortiz told reporters in an end-of-season press conference last week that the franchise would look at coaches on their defensive staff to promote if Minter were to leave the team.

“We have a lot of great coaches on the staff, on the defensive staff, that will be considered, too, if he (Minter) does depart,” Hortiz said.

The Chargers already requested an interview with assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. But The Athletic’s Daniel Popper suggested two other internal candidates the Chargers could consider promoting to defensive coordinator.

Popper suggested defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale and defensive line coach Mike Elston.

Clinkscale has been the defensive backs coach for the Chargers for the past two seasons and has multiple years of experience working with coach Jim Harbaugh. Clinkscale spent three seasons coaching at Michigan and was the co-defensive coordinator alongside Minter for the final two seasons with the Wolverines before joining the Chargers.

Meanwhile, Elston has cultivated a lot of success as the defensive line coach, despite the Chargers not investing in the interior of the defensive line. Popper listed Poona Ford, Teair Tart, Da’Shawn Hand and Justin Eboigbe as cheap, underrated players that shined while playing under Elston.

But one concern with Elston is that he may want to follow Minter to the Ravens rather than take on the defensive coordinator role with the Chargers next season.

The Chargers still have a lot of external candidates to consider and interviews to complete before making the ultimate decision sometime this offseason. Los Angeles hired Mike McDaniel as the new offensive coordinator and will now need to figure who is the best choice to lead the defense. 

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