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If the Chargers were a home, general manager Joe Hortiz and coach Jim Harbaugh agree: its foundation is set in stone.<\/p>\n
The team will continue to build its offense around quarterback Justin Herbert, that much is clear. But as the overhaul begins \u2014 when Harbaugh parted ways with offensive coordinator Greg Roman and offensive line coach Mike Devlin earlier this week \u2014 the Chargers coach said Thursday he knows growth is needed after back-to-back years of first-round exits.<\/p>\n
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Hortiz agreed with his veteran colleague.<\/p>\n
“That’s what the offseason is for; a time to look inside and look outside to see how you can be better,” said Hortiz, who is wrapping up his second season with the organization alongside Harbaugh. “You have a beautiful building, and that’s what we have here. But we’re going to keep fixing all the rooms. And as soon as you’re done with the bathrooms, you go to the kitchen. But you know what? You can’t ignore the bathroom.” Hortiz added: “You can’t focus all your attention on one room and let others fall.”<\/p>\n
Read more:<\/b> Chargers fire coordinator Greg Roman after playoff loss<\/p>\n
The two avoided blaming Herbert’s practice for postseason problems, offensive line construction or Roman, the same repetition of talking points from last year’s publisher of vague talking points.<\/p>\n
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Hortiz made one thing clear: He won’t consider any season a success until the Chargers capture their first Super Bowl title.<\/p>\n
“Did we hurt Justin or whatever name you want to put on it?” Hortiz said. “We weren’t good enough and our aim was to do well [team owner] Dean [Spanos] contempt. I have trained badly. We all did it, all together. We want to win the Super Bowl, so we have to be better.\u201d<\/p>\n
That starts with finding a “head coach for the offense,” Harbaugh said. Under Roman, the Chargers scored just one touchdown in two playoff games.<\/p>\n
“New start, new direction,” Harbaugh said of his thoughts on firing Roman. \u201cA new beginning [Roman]a new beginning for our team, because of our offense.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Harbaugh said he hopes to bring in a new coordinator with a “physical” identity. Hortiz added that the job \u2014 especially coaching Herbert \u2014 is “an attractive position,” and that they will plan to bring in the best person to work alongside Harbaugh, casting a wide net.<\/p>\n
Chargers passing coordinator Marcus Brady was the first to interview for the coordinator job, joining assistant general manager Chad Alexander, Hortiz and Harbaugh on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Read more:<\/b> Chargers lament Justin Herbert’s failure to win in playoffs: ‘I want him bad’<\/p>\n
In addition to Roman and Devlin, Hortiz announced that linebackers coach NaVorro Bowman is leaving the Chargers and coaching entirely. Bowman, who played for Harbaugh when he coached the San Francisco 49ers, plans to help his son, Notre Dame High junior guard NaVorro Bowman Jr., guide the college recruiting process, Hortiz said.<\/p>\n
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Besides the changes in the coaching staff \u2014 which could include defensive coordinator Jesse Minter leaving the coaching job \u2014 Hortiz said he wants to use some of the more than $100 million in salary cap space expected to retain some of the Chargers’ pending free agents.<\/p>\n
Besides cornerbacks Odafe Oweh and Khalil Mack (who said this week he will consider retirement for the second straight season), wide receiver Keenan Allen and left guard Zion Johnson will be free agents in March. Hortiz said he has not yet spoken with wide receiver Quentin Johnston and his representation about whether they will pick up his fifth-year option.<\/p>\n
“We have to be smart,” said Hortiz. “We will spend money, but we will also spend money internally, because there are many boys we would like to have.”<\/p>\n
Get the best, most interesting and weirdest news of the day on the LA sports scene and beyond in our Sports Report newsletter.<\/p>\n
This story first appeared in the Los Angeles Times.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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