The search for the 16th head coach in Chargers history is underway after Mike McCoy was dismissed Sunday night following a 5-11 season.
"The decision to dismiss Mike was made in the best interests of our franchise," said President of Football Operations John Spanos. "Our team's disappointing performance has not matched this team's potential and has fallen short of the demanding standards that we seek to impose throughout our organization. Our comprehensive search for a new head coach begins immediately."
So what will that search look like?
As of Monday morning, the Bolts are one of six teams currently in the market for a new head coach. However, additional teams could also join the fray, often leading to a competitive pursuit.
As such, each team must abide by the same set of rules when it comes to the hiring process.
Here are the NFL regulated guidelines to keep in mind as you follow along with the Chargers' head coaching search:
- Any coordinator or position coach whose team has been eliminated from the postseason is eligible to be interviewed.
- Coaches on a playoff team with a first round bye are eligible to be interviewed this week. This includes coaches on the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons. These interviews may be held through the conclusion of the Wild Card games on Jan. 8.
- Assistant coaches under contract to playoff clubs that won their Wild Card games may be interviewed for head coaching positions through the conclusion of the Divisional Playoff games on Jan. 15.
- Any assistant coach whose team is participating in the Super Bowl, who has previously interviewed for another club's head coaching job, may have a second interview with such club no later than the Sunday preceding the Super Bowl by Jan. 29.
- Each NFL team must abide by the Rooney Rule, which requires all teams to interview at least one minority candidate.
- No contract can be executed or announced until after the conclusion of the incoming coach's current team's season.
Stay tuned to Chargers.com for updates and breaking news throughout the coaching search
