There are five NFL teams still looking for a head coach: the Eagles, Cardinals, Bears, Jaguars and our home team, the Chargers.
At last count, there were 16 candidates who have either interviewed, or scheduled an interview, with at least one of those teams. As teams are knocked out of the playoffs, that number will grow.
So the Chargers don't need to jump in and grab a coach immediately. They can afford to take their time and find the right guy.
On Friday the team interviewed former Bears head coach Lovie Smith, who was fired in Chicago after a 10-6 season. Players love Lovie. He's a motivator and a tremendous defensive mind. However, his biggest problem with the Bears was the offense.
Smith was never able to find an offensive coordinator to put together a consistent attack. The biggest problem was an inability to build a line, the same problem the Chargers face.
Over the weekend the Chargers are expected to interview former Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt, an offensive-minded candidate. Whisenhunt took Arizona to its only Super Bowl appearance with Kurt Warner at quarterback.
Since then his starting QB's have been Derek Anderson, John Skelton, Max Hall, Kevin Kolb, Ryan Lindley and Brian Hoyer. Canton is not exactly getting ready to build busts of any of those guys.
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When he was the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, Whisenhunt helped win a Super Bowl with Ben Roethlisberger, so when he's had a good QB he's had good success. After that kibble he dealt with in the desert, Philip Rivers must look like Johnny Unitas.
Other candidates rumored to be on the way to San Diego for an interview are Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden (yes, the brother of Jon), Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, and Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.
