Chargers fire head coach Brandon Staley, general manager Tom Telesco following blowout loss to Raiders

The Los Angeles Chargers have fired head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco in the wake of the team's 63-21 Thursday loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport initially reported the news Friday. The team later announced the moves.

"I want to thank Tom and Brandon for their hard work, dedication and professionalism, and wish both them and their great families nothing but the best," said Chargers owner Dean Spanos. "These decisions are never easy, nor are they something I take lightly -- especially when you consider the number of people they impact. We are clearly not where we expect to be, however, and we need new vision. Doing nothing in the name of continuity was not a risk I was willing to take. Our fans have stood strong through so many ups and downs and close games. They deserve more. Frankly, they've earned more. Building and maintaining a championship-caliber program remains our ultimate goal. And reimagining how we achieve that goal begins today."

The Chargers named Giff Smith as interim head coach and JoJo Wooden as interim general manager for the remainder of the 2023 season. Smith, the Chargers' outside linebackers coach, has been with the club since 2016. Wooden joined the Chargers in 2013 as the director of player personnel.

Chargers defensive run game coordinator/defensive line coach Jay Rodgers was also relieved of his duties on Friday, the team announced.

This is the Chargers' first in-season firing of a head coach since Kevin Gilbride was dismissed in 1998.

The talent-laden Chargers sit at 5-9 after losing five of their last six games and clinching the first losing season of Staley's tenure. Staley leaves L.A. with a 24-24 record, two winning seasons and one playoff berth