Chargers promote Derrick Ansley to defensive coordinator

By JOE REEDY
AP Sports Writer

The Los Angeles Chargers have promoted Derrick Ansley to defensive coordinator.

Ansley was the secondary coach on Brandon Staley’s staff the past two seasons. He takes over for Renaldo Hill, who left to join Miami’s staff as pass-game coordinator.

Staley is expected to remain the defensive play-caller though.

The Chargers also announced on Monday the additions of quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier, linebackers coach Jeff Howard and defensive quality control assistant Robert Muschamp.

Ansley does have experience as a defensive coordinator. He spent two seasons leading the University of Tennessee’s defense (2019-20) before joining the Chargers.

The Chargers were ranked eighth against the pass last season as they made the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

However, Los Angeles was 20th in total defense and had the fourth-worst average in scrimmage yards allowed per play.

It is the first time since 2012 the Chargers will have new coordinators under a returning head coach. Kellen Moore was hired as offensive coordinator on Jan. 30 after Joe Lombardi was fired at the end of the season.

Nussmeier was Dallas’ quarterbacks coach the past three seasons with Moore as the offensive coordinator.

Howard comes from Cleveland, where he was the pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach for three years. Muschamp joins the Chargers after two seasons at the University of Georgia in the same capacity.

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