While the Chargers have yet to make it official, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Joe Lombardi will join Brandon Staley as Los Angeles’ next offensive coordinator.
Lombardi, 49, is a grandson of Vince Lombardi, the Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach.
He has been an offensive coordinator twice, Mercyhurst College from 2002 to 2005 and for the Lions in 2014 and 2015.
Here’s how Detroit’s offense shaped up under Lombardi: 19th and 20th in the league in total offense; 12th and ninth in passing; 28th and 32nd in rushing; 25th and 30th in rush attempts.
In his first season as offensive coordinator, the Lions went 11-5 and made the playoffs. He was fired the following season after a 1-7 start.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford had 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions under Lombardi.
Lombardi’s scheme revolved around a power running game and short, quick passes, which likely led to some regression in Stafford’s play and the entire offense as a whole.
The highlight of Lombardi’s coaching career in the NFL has come with the Saints, where he’s been an offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach for 10 combined seasons.
During that span, Lombardi helped quarterback Drew Brees eclipse four 5,000-yard passing seasons and 338 passing touchdowns. Over the past couple of seasons, he’s also helped develop Taysom Hill.
Staley emphasized surrounding himself with coaches who can make him better and given that Lombardi is a veteran coach of 25 years, it helps having an experienced one onboard, especially one who he is familiar with.
Staley played quarterback for Mercyhurst College while Lombardi was the offensive coordinator there back in 2005.
