The Los Angeles Chargers face a unique challenge in the upcoming offseason, needing to build on the promising turnaround the team experienced in Jim Harbaugh's first year while simultaneously ensuring they don't act rash.
There is a strong foundation set both on the roster and coaching staff, though there's still a clear gap between the Chargers and the elite teams in the AFC. Maintaining continuity year-over-year is one of the reasons the Kansas City Chiefs have dominated the AFC West for so long, suggesting that keeping your coaches together carries an intrinsic value.
That said, this week's combine has brought some more coaching news on Los Angeles' staff.
What I’m hearing about the #Chargers after a week in Indyhttps://t.co/gAECcrJrmv
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) February 28, 2025
Chargers Parted Ways With Two More Coaches This Offseason
According to Daniel Popper of The Athletic, Chargers offensive assistants Phil Serchia and Jonathan Goodwin are not part of the team any longer. He didn't provide a reason for the respective splits, though it leaves Harbaugh without two members of his staff as the franchise prepares for the NFL Draft and free agency.
"Former director of college scouting Kevin Kelly left earlier this month to become Clemson’s director of player evaluation and acquisition, a sign of (Joe) Hortiz’s further putting his stamp on the Chargers’ scouting department. Hortiz was the Baltimore Ravens’ director of college scouting for a decade. He eats, breathes and sleeps the draft."
Based on Popper's commentary, it seems like general manager Joe Hortiz is putting his stamp on the organization. He's served just one year with the team, though his success with the Ravens is apparent. Baltimore built up one of the best rosters in the NFL during Hortiz's rise from a personnel assistant in 1998 to a director of player personnel by 2019, and he's clearly got an eye for scouting talent.
Whether or not he actually made the decision to move on from Serchia and Goodwin isn't clear. Regardless, the Chargers have a pair of holes to fill and need to act quickly given the number of moves happening around the league.