The Chargers’ new head coach Mike McCoy has settled on his defensive coordinator.
It’s the same guy who ran things on that side of the ball for Norv Turner. The Chargers announced Friday that John Pagano will stay with the team for the 2013 season. Pagano reportedly generated some interest from Cleveland, but won’t be joining Turner and head coach Rob Chudzinski in Cleveland.
“I want to thank the Spanos family, Coach McCoy and the entire organization for believing in me,” Pagano said in a statement from the team. “These are very exciting times for the Chargers and I look forward to keep building our defense to where we want it to be.”
San Diego finished the 2012 season ranked ninth overall in total defense, up from 16th in his first season as coordinator in 2011. Pagano has been with the Chargers since 2002, which makes him the longest-tenured member of the coaching staff.
The Chargers also announced that defensive line coach Don Johnson, linebackers coach Joe Barry and assistant linebackers coach Greg Williams will remain with the team as well.