University of Dayton grad named head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers

DAYTON — University of Dayton graduate, Brandon Staley, is taking a new position as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

Before becoming an NFL head coach, Staley got his start playing quarterback for the Flyers at Welcome Stadium.

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“I believe that shows you his football intelligence that he’s not just focused in on one position or one side of the ball,” said Rick Chamberlin, head coach of UD’s football team.

Staley coached at several different college programs for 10 years before becoming a linebackers coach for the Bears in 2017. After coaching in Chicago, he went to the Broncos and this past season was the Rams defensive coordinator.

“We’re just thrilled for Brandon because he’s worked at it,” Chamberlin said.

“He’s a focused young man, he’s a determined young man. You’re just glad to see people rewarded for that hard work.”

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Dayton is now the third school to have two current NFL head coaches. Jon Gruden, also a former Flyer, is the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Gruden won Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003 as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Hall-of-Fame coach Chuck Noll, who led the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl victories between 1969 and 1991, is also a notable Dayton alum who had tremendous success in the NFL.

“The players are going to play as hard as possible because I know that’s coming from their head coaches, they’re going to execute at a high level because it’s coming from Dayton coaches, and they’re going to play with class because that’s from the Dayton Coaches. That would be fun,” Chamberlin said.

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