Jan 1, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Buffalo Bills interim head coach Anthony Lynn reacts after the New York Jets score in the 3rd quarter at MetLife Stadium. Photo Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
Just hours after the Chargers announced they were moving from San Diego to Los Angeles, they selected former Buffalo Bills interim head coach and offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn as their next head coach, multiple media outlets reported Thursday night.
Lynn would be the Chargers’ 16th head coach in franchise history and the Chargers’ first African-American head coach.
It has been a rapid rise for the 48-year-old Lynn.
Four months ago, Lynn was working under Bills offensive coordinator Greg Roman. After two early losses, coach Rex Ryan promoted Lynn to offensive coordinator and dismissed Roman. Lynn became the interim head coach when Ryan was fired before Week 17.
Lynn has a reputation as a strong running game coach. The Jets developed an effective running game while Lynn was there, and the Bills finished first in the NFL in rushing this season.
This is a major step up for Lynn, who has never been a head coach nor a coordinator until this season.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Lynn would like to retain Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and hire former Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley as defensive coordinator.
That would give the Chargers two former NFL head coaches in critical positions alongside Lynn.
Lynn also interviewed for head coaching vacancies with the Los Angeles Rams and the Bills.
Lynn played running back at Texas Tech and in the NFL for six seasons.
His NFL coaching experience includes stops with the Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns and the Jets before landing in Buffalo.
Lynn was one of six candidates initially interviewed by the Chargers. The others were Sean McDermott (who was hired as Bills head coach), New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith, Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub and Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.
The Chargers will play in the 30,000-seat StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., for two seasons before they join the Rams in Inglewood in 2019.
The Chargers have an established quarterback in Philip Rivers and considerable talent around him.
