Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn has been fired as head coach after four seasons.
Lynn signed a one-year extension in the off-season, but the Chargers went 7-9 this season, losing seven games with one score.
He delivered a brave effort at the end of the season, as the Chargers won their last four games. But it wasn’t enough for owner Dean Spanos, who made the announcement Monday.
“This morning I informed Anthony Lynn that we have made the decision to part with him as our head coach. I am not sure if there is any other person in this league more respected as a human than Anthony, and I want to say this sincerely. My deepest thanks for his leadership at a time of great change for our organization, ”Spanos said in a statement.
“As we all know, this is a results-driven business and, simply put, the results of the past two years have lagged expectations. Looking ahead, we will redouble our efforts to both build and maintain a program of championships. has been innovative in many facets of our organization over the years, and we need to convey that throughout our operation. Our fans need to know that the Los Angeles Chargers are committed to consistent, winning football. The search for a new head coach will begin immediately. “
Lynn ends his four-year stint with the Chargers with a 33-31 regular season record and a 1-1 postseason score. Lynn led the Chargers to a 12-4 record and a wildcard playoff win in 2018, but he couldn’t sustain that success, going to 5-11 in 2019 and struggling again in 2020.
This season started with a lung puncture for quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who received a pain-relieving injection at SoFi Stadium that went awry in week 2, minutes before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
In stepped rookie first round pick Justin Herbert, who became a superstar almost immediately, started 15 games and threw for 4,336 yards and an NFL rookie-record 31 touchdown passes. He also set the NFL rookie record for completions with 396.
“It’s a difficult situation, I believed in coach Lynn. I have enjoyed our time working together. I believe in this dressing room and believe we will get better,” Herbert said Monday.
Herbert said that Lynn “allowed me to act and become a leader, taught me a lot of things about how to manage a huddle, how to intervene in it and take command.
“Before every game I gave him a hug (and) he said, ‘go have fun, go fight.’ I have learned a lot from him, I will really miss him. “
Herbert might have saved Lynn’s job had he secured a few more W’s earlier this season, instead of just getting close. But it was Lynn’s own decisions that were harshly criticized. His clock and game management were often called into question, including during Herbert’s debut, a loss over time to the defending Super Bowl champions.
In OT’s first possession, Lynn chose to kick instead of going for it in fourth place. Kansas City ran 39 yards to kick a 52-yard goal to win the game 23-20.
It set the tone for the season, as the team was unable to finish the games. It was also an issue in 2019, when nine of the Chargers’ 11 losses were by one score.
Special teams were also a disaster, as the Chargers were last in the league in the category according to FPI. The team missed 12 kicks, including three extra points and nine field goals, had three punts blocked (two back for touchdowns) and had a blocked field goal for a touchdown. The Chargers’ net scoring average is the worst in the NFL.
Lynn reassigned special teams coordinator George Stewart on Nov. 25, with Keith Burns taking over. But it made no difference, as the Chargers missed the playoffs for the ninth time in 11 seasons.