Chargers fire Greg Manusky, bring in John Pagano – NFL News
The San Diego Chargers have fired defensive coordinator Greg Manusky. The decision was made on Thursday and saw linebackers coach John Pagano hurled in as a replacement.
The Chargers have recently undergone changes with General Manager A.J Smith and head coach Norv Turner retained for another season by owner Dean Spanos. And now they have a new defensive coordinator.
Manusky had served the Chargers for just one season before being fired. Under Manusky the Chargers had witnessed a drastic fall in their defence standings this season. They had topped the NFL in total defence back in 2010 but fell
to the 16th place this year. The failing defence performance saw the Chargers fall to an 8-8 ending that saw them eliminated from the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
After the poor show by the Chargers’ defence changes were being expected in the team and they finally came on Thursday. The Chargers had their playoff hopes ended after they lost to the Detroit on Dec. 24. However, Turner didn’t
seem to be blaming Manusky for the loss. In fact he defended the former coordinator.
"Under the circumstances, he and his staff have done a good job," Turner said.
Turner denied having acquired Manusky being a mistake and thanked him for spending time with the Chargers.
“I’d like to thank Greg for the passion and enthusiasm he brought to our team and coaching staff this past season,” Turner said in a statement.
Pagano who will now be leading the defensive coordination was delighted but appeared sorry for Manusky whom he said was like a brother to him and said the move was like a shock to him. He said that it was his long dream to become
the defensive coordinator and he had been looking forward to becoming one.
"It's a bittersweet day," Pagano said." I'm excited about the opportunity, don't get me wrong, but I love him very dearly."
Manusky is a former footballer of NFL who played as a linebacker. He has been working with the Chargers for 10 years and has been coaching the linebackers since 2005.
Manusky had been brought in at the start of this season from the San Francisco 49ers to replace Ron Rivera who had been hired by the Carolina Panthers as the Head coach. Pagano is the fourth defensive coordinator hired by Turner
in six years.
There is also news that Chargers’ players were not happy with Manusky and wanted him to leave. They were found lobbying for Pagano to be brought in. That could have played a role in his sacking.
In the case of Turner, it was different. The coach who was retained for the season just two days ago received firm support from his players who wanted him to stay and expressed their happiness when the Chargers decided to keep
Turner. The biggest of Turner’s supporter was Philip Rivers who defended his coach saying that it were the players and not the coach who were to be blamed for the loss.
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