Chargers hire Broncos aide McCoy
Mike McCoy’s interview with San Diego went so well that both sides felt he was a perfect fit to become the Chargers’ new coach.
McCoy had one thing to do, though, before accepting the Chargers’ offer, so it was a good thing Chargers president Dean Spanos’ private plane was at his disposal.
“There was no doubt in my mind when I got back on that plane to go back home,” said McCoy, the former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator who was introduced Tuesday as the Chargers’ new coach. “They wanted to keep me here last night. But I said, ‘I’ve got to talk to my wife about this. If I made the decision without talking to my wife, I might get in a little trouble.”’
So McCoy flew back to Denver to talk it over with wife Kellie. McCoy, his wife and their two children were back on the same plane Tuesday morning, flying back to San Diego to take the job.
“Without a doubt we knew this was the place we wanted to be,” said McCoy, who signed a four-year contract.
McCoy replaces Norv Turner, who was fired along with general manager A.J. Smith after the Chargers finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs for the third straight season.
The 40-year-old McCoy is the same age as Tom Telesco, who was hired as general manager last week. He interviewed after the Chargers already had talked to Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, fired head coaches Lovie Smith and Ken Whisenhunt, and Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden.
“Once he came in and once we saw how good he was, we just felt we had to have him now,” Telesco said of McCoy.
Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley arrived in Philadelphia on Tuesday for his second interview with the Eagles. Bradley is also expected to interview with Jacksonville this week. … Arizona is going to take a look at Seattle offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. … Detroit long snapper Don Muhlbach has been added to the NFC Pro Bowl team. … Cincinnati OT Andrew Whitworth has been added to the Pro Bowl squad, replacing Denver’s injured Ryan Clady. … Tampa Bay WR Vincent Jackson has been added to the NFC Pro Bowl, replacing Detroit’s injured Calvin Johnson. … Denver QB Peyton Manning was chosen AFC offensive player of the year and Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson the NFC’s top offensive player in voting for the 101 Awards. … An Akron-based electric utility has bought the naming rights to Cleveland Browns Stadium, which will be known as FirstEnergy Stadium. … Carolina QB Cam Newton is enrolled at Auburn for spring semester. Newton is taking classes toward a sociology degree.