Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith was in San Diego on Thursday to interview for the Chargers' head coach position.
It was a start.
To continue the interview process, the team now must head east.
A four-man interview team led by Chargers President of Football Operations John Spanos is scheduled to travel Friday to Rhode Island, a source said. There, the team will meet Friday with Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott. The location was arranged so the team also can sit with Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as part of a packed weekend.
There are seven known candidates based on various source accounts and reports. Bills interim coach Anthony Lynn joined the mix Thursday, although his interview date was undisclosed.
The Chargers have declined to confirm the scheduling of interviews during the hiring progress, although they announced Smith had interviewed.
Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub reportedly will interview Sunday. It is unclear when the team will meet with Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, whose teams play Saturday and Sunday in the first round of the NFC and AFC playoffs, respectively.
The season is complete for the Bucs and Panthers, hence Smith's and McDermott's ability to travel. Patricia and Toub coach for the top two-seeded teams in the AFC playoffs, so both are on a bye this weekend.
Lynn already has conducted interviews with the 49ers and Bills. He is the only known Chargers candidate with an offensive background; he played running back in the NFL from 1993 to 1999 and was promoted from running backs coach to offensive coordinator this past September. He became interim head coach when Rex Ryan was fired before Week 17.
Barring the hiring of Lynn or a currently unknown candidate, the Chargers are poised to install their first non-offensive head coach since Marty Schottenheimer was hired in 2002. Norv Turner and Mike McCoy carried offensive backgrounds over the past 10 seasons. A shift is possible with offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt's presence, which affords the team scheme stability.
The Chargers hold their current coaching staff in high regard.
While Whisenhunt and many assistants figure to be retained, the new head coach will carry strong license to construct the staff as desired.
Chargers general manger Tom Telesco, Chairman of the Board Dean Spanos and trusted cap advisor Ed McGuire form the interview team with John Spanos. The latter was heavily involved in the decision to hire McCoy in 2013, but it was his father Dean's hire. This will be John's first.
Aside from Lynn's one game, a 30-10 road loss Sunday to the Jets, Smith is the only candidate with NFL head coaching experience.
He received his coaching start as a graduate assistant and then linebackers coach at San Diego State from 1982 to 1985. He worked his way to become Falcons head coach from 2008 to 2014, compiling a 67-50 record, including 1-4 in the playoffs. He joined Tampa Bay in 2016 after a year away from coaching.
