Chargers News: Jim Harbaugh's Decision To Hold Onto Incumbent Assistant Could Be An Inspired Choice
Your Los Angeles Chargers had a flurry of coaching hires this offseason. This 2024 coaching staff, compared to the 2023 coaching staff, is night and day. A ton of things are different, but some things remain the same.
Although it seems like the Bolts are brand new everywhere, they retained their best coordinator from the past handful of seasons, special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken.
Ficken was the catalyst for the Bolts' great special teams. He'll look to continue that momentum with the new changes. The Athletics Dani Popper views Fickens' stay as one of the best coaching staff moves this off-season.
Retaining Ficken was monumental. The Chargers coveted Ficken, as they blocked him from interviewing for the open New York Giants special teams coordinator job in January. The question was whether Ficken would fit into Harbaugh’s staff, and that fit had to make sense for both sides. Conversations picked up over the first two weeks of February, and last Friday, Ficken and the Chargers agreed to a new multiyear deal, according to an official familiar with the discussions. The Chargers could not afford to let Ficken leave. He is one of the best special teams coordinators in the league. Credit to Harbaugh for having an open mind about this position and recognizing the work Ficken has done over the past two seasons, reshaping the Chargers special teams from a weakness into a strength. Also do not overlook the importance of retaining Gould, who had worked closely with the gunners over his two seasons with the Chargers. Young defensive backs Deane Leonard, Ja’Sir Taylor and AJ Finley all developed into quality gunners under Ficken and Gould’s coaching.
A special team hire or retention may not seem like a big deal on paper. However, big-time/Charger fans know how important it was to keep him around. That is why the Bolts blocked other teams from interviewing Ficken before signing him to a multi-year deal.
He has led his position group to new heights since joining the Chargers. Ficken led the Bolts to an NFL-best 3.1 yards per return, a top kicking unit in the AFC, and was responsible for leading the Bolts to number two in field goal percentage in the league in 2022.
There was no doubt he was their best and consistent coordinator throughout the former regime. Now, they'll look to continue being an elite special team while the other two phases of the ball follow the lead.
The Chargers will enjoy their time with Ficken while they can.
