New Defensive Coordinator Search

[Xenos]

Put all your thoughts and reliable sources here as we move on from Minter and begin the search for a new DC.

[dmac_bolt]

1000% agree with DJ. I am very happy for a very deserving guy.

Jim needs to lock down any staff he wants to keep cuz Jesse could be coming for them with promotion offers ... not sure how far down the org chart NFL defines rules about that lateral block vs promotion stuff. And as much as I love Jesse and all he did, giving him the rest of the defensive staff is not in my appreciation present box.

[dmac_bolt]

do not fear, I've got ChatGPT working on the s******** as we read ...

Top Internal & NFL Assistant Candidates

1. Steve Clinkscale — Chargers DB Coach

• Already on the Chargers’ staff and coached under Minter/Michigan.
• Strong familiarity with the existing scheme and continuity with the defense.

2. DeMarcus Covington — Packers Defensive Line Coach

• Emerging candidate for coordinator roles (Packers are considering him for their DC job).
• Has prior DC experience with New England and Belichick staff influence.

3. Derrick Ansley — Packers Defensive Passing Game Coordinator

• Former Chargers DB coach with prior DC experience.
• Respected for developing secondaries and defensive scheming.

4. Charlie Bullen — Giants Interim Defensive Coordinator

• Not a traditional DC yet, but just led defensive play-calling down the stretch as interim.
• Young coach with increasing responsibilities.

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🟢 Other NFL Assistant/Position Coach Candidates (Available)

5. Mathieu Araujo — Dolphins CB Coach

• Interviewed recently for a Jets DC job.
• Can bring secondary expertise and press coverage emphasis.

6. Chris Harris — Jets Defensive Backs Coach

• Interviewed for Jets’ DC search.
• Veteran NFL defensive coach with position group leadership experience.

7. Jim Leonhard — Broncos Defensive Pass Game Coordinator / Assistant HC

• Not a current DC, widely respected and on DC radars for other teams.

8. Daronte Jones — Vikings DB Coach

• Interviewed for other DC roles (Packers, Giants) and regarded as rising defensive mind.

9. Jonathan Gannon — Former Cardinals HC / DEF Leader

• Although formerly a DC and head coach, he’s currently available off staff and might be open to a coordinator role if not in a coordinator position elsewhere.

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🔵 Potential (But More Speculative) College-to-NFL Candidates


(Chargers could look outside the league to enrich the pool.)

• Anthony Poindexter — Tennessee Volunteers co-DC & DB guru (college, but NFL experience).
• Blake Gideon — Georgia Tech DC, former NFL player with secondary and scheme chops.

(These would depend on Chargers’ willingness to bring in new faces from college.)

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🧠 Why These Names Make Sense


✅ They’re not current NFL defensive coordinators, so their teams can’t easily block them for lateral coordinator moves — unlike someone like Brian Flores or Jeff Hafley.
✅ Many already have play-calling or coordinator experience at some level.
✅ Several have been interviewed recently by other teams for DC jobs, indicating league interest.

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📌 Internal vs. External Strategy

• Internal continuity (e.g., Clinkscale) preserves defensive identity and scheme consistency.
• NFL assistants with DC upside (Covington, Ansley, Harris, Leonhard, Jones) bring scheme freshness without contractual blocking issues.
• College DCs with NFL experience could be impact hires if the Chargers want to innovate aggressively

[dmac_bolt]

Q: But ChatGPT - which are best fits or top ranked?
A: No problem, I know everything ...
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Below is a ranking strictly by fit with Jim Harbaugh’s defensive philosophy, not “name value.” Harbaugh (and Minter) want:

• Multiple fronts (odd/even)
• Heavy disguise, simulated pressure
• Pattern-match / quarters-based coverage
• DB intelligence + tackling
• Call-sheet discipline over “freelance chaos”

Think Ravens + Michigan, not blitz-for-blitz’s-sake.

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🥇 Tier 1: Best Possible Fits (Harbaugh DNA)

1) Steve Clinkscale (Chargers DB Coach)


Fit: 10/10 | Likelihood: Very High

• Coached directly under Minter at Michigan
• Same coverage language, teaching progressions, install philosophy
• DB-centric thinker (huge for Harbaugh)
• Safest continuity move — zero learning curve

Why he’s #1:
If Harbaugh wants the defense to look exactly the same on Day 1, this is the answer. Not flashy, but extremely “Harbaugh.”

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2) Jim Leonhard (Defensive Pass Game Coordinator / Assistant HC type)


Fit: 9.5/10 | Likelihood: Medium

• Elite quarters / match-coverage mind
• Emphasizes leverage, disguise, and communication
• Philosophically very similar to Minter, just more coverage-first
• Comfortable coaching DBs and LBs together (Harbaugh loves this)

Why he’s not #1:
Slightly less front-seven multiplicity than Minter, but otherwise a near-perfect schematic match.

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🥈 Tier 2: Strong Fits, Minor Philosophical Gaps

3) Derrick Ansley (Defensive Passing Game Coordinator)


Fit: 8.5/10 | Likelihood: Medium-High

• DB-driven coach who understands modern pattern matching
• Comfortable with split-safety shells and disguise
• Has NFL DC experience without being “scheme rigid”

Gap:
Less proven running a fully multiple front defense, but philosophically aligned on coverage and discipline.

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4) DeMarcus Covington (DL Coach / former play-caller)


Fit: 8/10 | Likelihood: Medium

• Front-seven versatility, stunt games, simulated pressure
• Belichick-style adaptability meshes well with Harbaugh’s pragmatism
• Strong run-defense emphasis (Harbaugh core value)

Gap:
Coverage philosophy would need to be DB-coach-driven underneath him — doable, but not plug-and-play like Clinkscale.

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🥉 Tier 3: Fits in Structure, Less in Style

5) Daronte Jones (DB Coach)


Fit: 7.5/10 | Likelihood: Medium

• Excellent secondary teacher
• Familiar with split-safety systems
• Younger, adaptable, smart

Gap:
More aggressive coverage tendencies at times; Harbaugh prefers fewer explosive risks.

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6) Chris Harris (DB Coach)


Fit: 7/10 | Likelihood: Medium

• Strong fundamentals and player development
• Scheme-flexible, not ego-driven

Gap:
Less evidence of running a complex, disguise-heavy system at full scale.

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🧪 Tier 4: Philosophically Compatible but Riskier

7) Jonathan Gannon (Available former HC/DC)


Fit: 6.5/10 | Likelihood: Low-Medium

• Split-safety background, analytically inclined
• Understands modern NFL offenses well

Gap:
More reactive and ************ than Harbaugh prefers; not as structurally disciplined as Minter’s system.

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🔑 Bottom-Line Summary


If Harbaugh’s priority is:

• Maximum continuity → Clinkscale
• Same system, new voice → Leonhard
• Balanced evolution → Ansley or Covington
• High upside but more variance → Jones / Harris

My best guess if this were real life:
Harbaugh would strongly prefer Clinkscale first, Leonhard second, and only go outside if he wants a philosophical tweak rather than preservation.

[dmac_bolt]

Hey ChatGPT, what about former DCs that are available?
Top Former NFL DC Candidates (Available)

1️⃣ Jonathan Gannon — Former Cardinals HC & Eagles DC

• Status: Recently fired as Arizona Cardinals head coach (2026).
• Experience: Long track record as Defensive Coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles, including a Super Bowl run.
• Fit: Gannon runs multiple fronts with pattern-matching and disguise, and has coordinated strong defenses.
• Availability: Not currently a DC, so could be a rare non-blocked option.

Why he fits Harbaugh:

• NFL DC pedigree
• Experience adjusting schemes to roster + situational defenses
• Good teacher and communicator in front-seven and secondary schemes

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2️⃣ Zach Orr — Ex-Ravens Defensive Coordinator

• Status: Recently served as Ravens DC (Ravens DC from 2024–25).
• Experience: Known for a stout run defense and disciplined, bend-but-don’t-break style that’s also adaptable.
• Fit: Worked in Ravens/Harbaugh coaching circles and speaks similar coverage language.
• Availability: Not currently on staff as a DC, so not blockable.

Why he fits Harbaugh:

• Shared Ravens defensive roots with Minter → easier system bridge
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Balance in front seven and secondary scheme emphasis

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3️⃣ Renaldo Hill — Former Chargers DC

• Status: Currently a DB coach with Panthers, not a coordinator.
• Experience: Was Chargers defensive coordinator before, giving him familiarity with L.A. environment.
• Fit: Deep secondary knowledge and ability to manage coverage games; has NFL DC experience.
• Availability: Off the coordinator market, so Chargers could hire him without block issues.

Why he fits Harbaugh:

• Knows the Chargers roster and AFC West schemes
• Comfortable with versatile coverage and press/man concepts
• Already had full control of the defense once

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🧠 Other Former DCs to Consider (More Outside)


These names aren’t currently coaching as DCs, so they’re legally available — but would be more speculative fits based on scheme and Harbaugh style: 4️⃣ John Pagano

• Longtime NFL defensive coach including DC experience with Chargers (2012) and other teams.
• Currently a senior defensive assistant and would require a jump back into a coordinator role.

Fit Notes: Very experienced but older and might be more of a teacher/mentor than full play-caller.

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5️⃣ (Speculative) Coaches with DC Past but Not Active


These are examples of experienced DCs who may be available by virtue of not currently being in a coordinator role — but would require verification based on recent coaching commitments:

• Jeff Schwartz — former Dolphins DC (multiple successful defenses) — availability unclear.
• Patrick Graham — has extensive DC experience and might be free depending on staff changes. (coverage from coaching chatter)

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📊 How These Fit Harbaugh’s Philosophy

Jonathan Gannon	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	✔️ Yes
Zach Orr	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	✔️ Yes
Renaldo Hill	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐	✔️ Yes
John Pagano	⭐⭐	⭐⭐	✔️ Yes
Jeff Schwartz	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	?
Patrick Graham	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	?

✔️ = Likely available because not currently a defensive coordinator elsewhere

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📌 Why This Matters


Because teams typically block active defensive coordinators from lateral moves, focusing on former DCs who aren’t currently in that role opens up a realistic pool where the Chargers can interview and hire without contractual obstruction — and Harbaugh can still preserve a defense with strong schematic alignment.

[jaguarmanftype]

On the bright side, if Adam Fuller is made DC, he likely won't be a serious contender for a future HC position and is unlikely to be poached. Most of the candidates in these recent cycles, especially for defensive-oriented HCs, have been on the younger side, and he'd be considered ancient age-wise given the trends.

...another consideration in all of this is just how essential is Clinkscale. If he doesn't get promoted and Fuller does, it's almost a certainty that Minter takes him on as DC for the Ravens. Even if Clinkscale won't call plays there, he'll still get a promotion and a bump in pay. Now, Fuller has been in college programs that had nothing to do with Harbaugh or Minter/Clinkscale, and as a DC, all of his units were top-ranked and he has considerably more history of success. Much to ponder and consider for Harbaugh and the front office.

If they promote Adam Fuller, and there is little drop-off even with Clinkscale likely gone, then he is the DC for as long as they want him to be the DC. Of course, it's somewhat of a gamble that there won't be some drop-off, but on the bright side, we have a long-term DC and do not have to worry about Clinkscale leaving for an HC position if he also manages to do well even with some drop-off. Personally, with Fuller, I don't see much if any drop-off if Elston stays onboard, but there is still some risk.

[dmac_bolt]

shoot-didn't see this started, should have assumed. ChatGPT did the search for us - see the Jesse thread ...

[Bolt-O]

shoot-didn't see this started, should have assumed. ChatGPT did the search for us - see the Jesse thread ...

do you need help to move the post over?

Nevermind, just did it.

[Jack Burton]

1000% agree with DJ. I am very happy for a very deserving guy.

Jim needs to lock down any staff he wants to keep cuz Jesse could be coming for them with promotion offers ... not sure how far down the org chart NFL defines rules about that lateral block vs promotion stuff. And as much as I love Jesse and all he did, giving him the rest of the defensive staff is not in my appreciation present box.

I wasn’t sad until I saw this…..

[electricgold]

I'd look at Super Bowl winning Raheem Morris.. .

OC Mike McDaniel

DC Raheem Morris

Works for me!

[21&500]

In House:
1. Clinksdale
2. Elston

Outside:
1. McDermott
2. Weaver
3. Wink

[Jack Burton]

In House:
1. Clinksdale
2. Elston

Outside:
1. McDermott
2. Weaver
3. Wink

Clink