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Chargers coach Brandon Staley ready for regular-season debut

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COSTA MESA — Like most people when they look at past work, Chargers coach Brandon Staley cringed when he watched film from last season as the Rams’ defensive coordinator.

“I look back at my tape last year and I’m like, ‘Man, I wasn’t very good,’ compared to where I am now,” Staley said this week.

Staley was probably being his toughest critic because the Rams were actually very good on defense last year, leading the league in total defense and scoring defense.

But Staley couldn’t afford to sit back and admire his work. He needed to be critical of himself because he has new responsibilities as a first-time head coach.

“I’m not the same,” Staley said when asked what the difference is between being a defensive coordinator and a head coach. “I’m a lot different. You have to be because there’s so much more that comes to your plate, not that you weren’t expecting it, but that this is the first time that you’re doing this. When I was a defensive coordinator, I had done all of that before. I had done literally everything. There wasn’t a lot new coming across my desk from an operational standpoint. As a head coach, there’s a lot more that’s new for me.

“That’s been exciting because it brings out the best in you. I feel like I’ve gotten better as I’ve gone. Every day, there are still so many things on a list that I didn’t do well enough. But then you just wake up and keep going.”

Staley installed his philosophies and coaching systems during the offseason program and in training camp, but he won’t truly be prepared until he leads the Chargers in a regular-season game. Staley will make his head-coaching debut Sunday on the road when the Chargers face the Washington Football Team.

He understands the magnitude of what he’s about to accomplish as a 38-year-old head coach, but Staley said he’s been living his dreams since his days as a coach at small college programs and as a position coach for the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears.

“I’m getting to live my dream,” Staley said about being a head coach for his first regular game. “But I feel like I was living my dream at John Carroll and at Hutchinson, too. I know this is a much bigger stage. I recognize that, but I feel like my dreams are just getting started. It’s my dream to be a competitor. I think we get the chance to do that against a good team.”

For the past month, Staley has been competing with Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert in practices. Staley, who will be calling the defensive plays, will finally get to face a quarterback who is not on the Chargers’ roster.

Herbert also had a standout 2020 season, but Staley noticed his improvements in many areas.

“Justin just knows a lot more football,” Staley said. “When you’re in the NFL, you just learn so much more. One year ago, what he knew, what I knew, are totally different.”

Herbert will display that new knowledge against Washington’s ferocious defensive line, and Staley will do the same against quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and his many offensive weapons.

DEALING WITH WFT’s OFFENSE

The Chargers’ defensive coaches revisited the Buccaneers-Bears game from 2018 to plan for Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick was the Tampa Bay starting quarterback three years ago when he faced Vic Fangio’s Bears defense with Staley on the coaching staff.

Staley has molded his Chargers’ defense similar to Fangio’s defensive scheme.

“Watched a lot of film,” Chargers defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill said about the game from 2018. “Similar scheme and the same guy (Fitzpatrick), but we know he’s seen a lot of football and he can do some damage. We gotta just be smart with what we do.”

Staley and the Bears got the best of Fitzpatrick and the Buccaneers with a 48-10 victory in Chicago. But the Chargers expect Fitzpatrick to be at his best Sunday with many playmakers, including versatile running back Antonio Gibson.

Hill said Gibson is similar to Chargers running back Austin Ekeler when it comes to contributing in the passing game, but added that there’s a noticeable size difference.

“He can run between the tackles,” Hill said about Gibson. “He’s a complete back. They’re maximizing that.”

Washington also features wide receiver Terry McLaurin and tight end Logan Thomas. Wide receiver Curtis Samuel is expected to add speed, but he’s dealing with a groin injury.

EKELER MISSES ANOTHER PRACTICE

Ekeler missed practice for a second consecutive day because of a hamstring injury.

Ekeler wore his helmet and uniform on Thursday, but he worked on the side during the open portion of practice to the media. Justin Jackson could be in line to start at running back if Ekeler can’t play Sunday.