Los Angeles Chargers and Jim Harbaugh Hire Running Backs Coach to Continue the Massive Trend of Coaches Leaving College for the NFL
The Los Angeles Chargers and Head Coach Jim Harbaugh hired former USC Coach Running Back Coach Kiel McDonald for the same position on their staff. It was thought McDonald could be an Offensive Coordinator at an established college program, but he opted for the NFL.
Kiel McDonald was hired as Running Backs Coach for the Los Angeles Chargers.
College Coaches Fleeing to the NFL
With Kiel McDonald leaving to go to the Los Angeles Chargers, this is now Harbaugh’s 7th hire of college coaches being brought into the NFL. This trend is not just with Harbaugh and LA but all over football. Read more on Harbaugh’s Coaching hires.
There have been 32 “prominent” coaching changes at the college level (Kiel McDonald being the most recent). This is not all of the coaching changes, nor are they all moves to the NFL. Quick note: there were 18 back in 2020.
Some of the most notable college coaches that have left for the NFL are:
- Jeff Hafley, Head Coach at Boston College, is moving to the Defensive Coordinator position with the Green Bay Packers.
- Liam Coen, offensive coordinator at Kentucky last season, will take the same role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Kliff Kingsbury is moving from USC QB coach to the Offensive Coordinator of the Washington Commander (moves back to NFL from college yet again).
- Tommy Reese went from Offensive Coordinator of Alabama to Pass Game/Tight Ends Coach of the Browns.
- And, of course, Jim Harbaugh is taking the role of Head Coach from Michigan to the Los Angeles Chargers, and all the college coaches are moving with him.
247Sports recruiting analyst Greg Biggins noted: “Never thought we’d see the day where multiple Power 5 head coaches would leave for NFL coordinator jobs, but this day and age of roster building via NIL, transfer portal, and have to re-recruit your players every year, I get it and think it’s only the beginning.”
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said that college football “in its current state will be seeing more and more coaches heading to the NFL,” adding that nothing will change until a former players association and a potential revenue-sharing arrangement are formed.
“This sport is spiraling out of control,” Herbstreit said.
What does it mean for the Los Angeles Chargers?
Many think the Chargers will part ways with the veteran running back Austin Ekeler as he heads into this offseason as an unrestricted free agent. Austin turns 29 in May. The league “expectation” is a drop-off in running backs around 30.
Ekeler was hurt for a chunk of last year, had 628 yards, and averaged 3.5 yards per carry (almost one yard below his career average). He also caught 51 of his 74 targets for 436 yards. His combined rush and receiving did get him over the 1,000 total-yard mark.
“No idea what to expect, zero idea,” Ekeler said of hitting free agency for the first time in his career. “And I like it that way because I also have my expectations wide open, expecting everything from maybe worst-case scenario to best-case scenario.” According to CBS Sports.
As Schefter mentioned, Kiel McDonald has worked with several prospects. Marshawn Lloyd will be available in this upcoming NFL Draft. It could be a sign of the end between Austin Ekeler and the Los Angeles Chargers.
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