Chargers News: John Spanos Reveals Why LA Hired Giff Smith As Interim HC

The Bolts are looking to play spoiler down the stretch of the season.

With former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley fired, the team named Giff Smith their interim head coach. Smith was the outside linebackers coach for the Bolts before the promotion, and now he gets a chance to help this team finish the season strong.

Chargers president of football operations John Spanos explained why Smith was named the interim coach over other internal candidates. 

"Giff as the Interim [Head Coach] is not an indictment on anyone who's here because I do think we have a lot of quality coaches," Spanos said. "But Giff is someone I've known a long time and worked with for awhile now. I've seen the coach he is, the leader he is. I think he's the best man right now to lead this team."

Per Eric Smith of Chargers.com

The Chargers have three games left in the season, and they want to end the year on a high note. They know it will be tough, especially given the level of competition, but the Bolts do have a chance to play spoiler.

At 5-9 and fading fast, it's safe to say the Bolts won't be making the playoffs, but they can at least ruin other teams' chances, should they want to ruin their own draft odds. LA gets games against division rivals, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs, so they should be very motivated.

LA, it appears, doesn't want to lose these last few games. The Chargers want to win them, sending themselves into the offseason feeling better about their year.

"We're not worried about getting a high draft pick. Let's go win these next three games," Spanos added. "That's our hope and our desire."



Per Eric Smith of Chargers.com

While it may be better draft-wise for the team to lose games, the Chargers also understand that you have to play to win. The players want to put their best foot forward, and this is their chance to make an impact on how the year plays out.