Los Angeles Chargers hire Virginia Tech's Jeff Carpenter as quality control, assistant wide receivers coach

The Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh are still filling out their coaching staff. And recently, they put themselves one step closer to achieving that goal with another hire.

Last week, the AFC’s Los Angeles-based franchise revealed that they are hiring former Virginia Tech offensive analyst Jeff Carpenter to become their next offensive quality control and assistant wide receivers coach.

Carpenter has worked with some of the more prominent college football programs across the country. From 2022-23, he was with the aforementioned Virginia Tech Hokies, who had an impressive offense under the Carpenter’s watchful eye. Last season, the Hokies had one of their more dominant offensive years, led by their rushing attack averaging 189.8 yards per game. And given the way Harbaugh had the Michigan Wolverines offense operating during his time there, charger fans should anticipate that kind of offensive format in 2024.

Prior to working under Brent Pry at Virginia Tech, Carpenter spent the 2021 season with the LSU Tigers. Before that, he worked for his alma mater, Penn State University, for three seasons (2018-20) as the Nittany Lions quality control coach and as an offensive graduate assistant under head coach James Franklin.

49ers interview former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley

Almost all the coordinator jobs in the NFL are full but former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley could still land one before they’re gone. According to multiple reports, Staley interviewed for the final defensive coordinator opening with the San Francisco 49ers last week.

The Chargers fired Staley before the end of the season, relieving him of his duties on Dec. 15. He spent three seasons at the helm of the organization after taking over in 2021. Staley, 41, had a 24-24 record during his time in Los Angeles and only recorded one playoff appearance.

In Staley’s final game as the Chargers’ head coach, the team fell 63-21 to the Las Vegas Raiders. Los Angeles entered the matchup ranked 29th in total yards and passing yards allowed. At the half, the Raiders held a 42-0 lead. They fired him less than 24 hours later.

His tenure started with a 9-8 mark in 2021 and he made his first playoff appearance in 2022 with a 10-7 record. That put the Chargers in the AFC Wild Card game, and they led the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-0 at one point.

However, that lead eventually evaporated, and Los Angeles ultimately fell 31-30. The stunning loss sent Staley into his third season with no shortage of heat, and it didn’t seem to cool down, considering the Chargers’ struggles — particularly on defense. He replaced his offensive coordinator but it was a bandaid that lasted less than a season.

Staley got his first NFL defensive coordinator opportunity with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020, leading a unit that ranked led the league in total defense. Only a year later, Staley found himself in the driver’s seat in Los Angeles with the Chargers.