Ex Rams Coach Brandon Staley Joining Rival 49ers

Former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley is back in the NFC West.

Former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley is returning to the NFC West, as according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the San Francisco 49ers have hired him to their coaching staff.

Staley's exact title is not yet known, but Schefter describes it as "a prominent staff role," possibly being the assistant head coach to Kyle Shanahan.

Staley was with the Rams for just one year in 2020, although he made that year count. That season, the Rams finished first in total and scoring defense en route to a 10-6 record and appearance in the Divisional Round. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald and cornerback Jalen Ramsey both earned first-team All-Pro nods under Staley's guidance.

Los Angeles Chargers coach Brandon Staley (left) talks with Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay after the game at SoFi Stadium / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

That performance made Staley an attractive head-coaching candidate the following offseason, and he didn't have to go very far for his next opportunity as he was hired to be the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers in January of 2021. Unfortunately for him, he was nowhere near as successful as a head coach as he was as a coordinator.

Staley lasted less than three years as the Chargers head coach, finishing with a 24-24 record. Throughout his entire tenure, Staley was constantly under fire for questionable in-game decisions, whether that be clock management, going for it on fourth down and pretty much everything in between. Even Staley's one playoff appearance in 2022 was one to forget, as the Chargers blew a 27-0 lead to lose 31-30 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Wild Card Round.

On Dec. 15, the Chargers fired Staley and general manager Tom Telesco after a 63-21 beatdown at the hands of the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Joining the 49ers gives Staley a chance to revitalize his career, something he could desperately use after his disastrous tenure with the Chargers.