“Rich was a great addition to our staff a year ago and made a real impact on our team last season,” Turner said. “He has a lot to offer our team and I’ll be leaning on his years of experience in all areas of our football team.”

The 10-year NFL veteran made a positive impact on the Chargers’ special teams units in 2011, his first season on Head Coach Norv Turner’s staff. Bisaccia has a reputation among players for his hands-on approach, attention to detail and unique situational drills. He helped develop young special teams players like Richard Goodman (fourth in the NFL in kickoff returns), and Darrell Stuckey and Andrew Gachkar, who tied for the team lead with 12 special teams tackles each.

Kicker Nick Novak, brought in to replace an injured Nate Kaeding, made 27 of 34 field goals and set two team records under Bisaccia’s watch, while Mike Scifres averaged a career high 47.5 yards per punt, none of which opposing players blocked or deflected (which happened five times in 2010).

The kickoff coverage unit took a leap forward, improving from 26th to 11th in the NFL. The Chargers also improved its punt coverage, allowing opponents 5.7 yards less per return and improving Scifres’ net average by nearly nine yards.

Goodman’s 105-yard kickoff return for a touchdown Jan. 1 at Oakland was a team record. The team also executed two successful onside kicks and a fake punt.

Bisaccia was the special teams coach in Tampa Bay from 2002-10, adding the title of associate head coach for the 2008-10 seasons. He helped guide the Buccaneers to a win in Super Bowl XXXVII under then Head Coach Jon Gruden.

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Meeks, defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts (2002-08) and Carolina Panthers (2009-10), contributed to a Super Bowl XLI win in ’06 and has 21 years of NFL coaching experience.

His unit in Indianapolis ranked in the top six in pass defense five times in seven seasons.

A defensive backs coach under Ron Rivera with Carolina in 2011, Meeks coached the secondary with four other NFL teams but began his career in the league as a defensive assistant with the 1991 Dallas Cowboys. San Diego Head Coach Norv Turner was offensive coordinator on that staff.

Meeks also coached defensive backs for the 2000 Washington Redskins with Turner as head coach. The Redskins finished second in the NFL against the pass that season as Champ Bailey earned Pro Bowl accolades. Meeks helped develop All-Pro players like Bailey, Bob Sanders, Aeneas Williams, Ray Buchanon, Eugene Robinson and Ashley Ambrose.

San Diego’s 2012 coaching staff has been forming for several weeks. The Chargers promoted offensive line coach Hal Hunter and linebackers coach John Pagano to offensive and defensive coordinator, respectively, and added former Colorado State head coach Steve Fairchild to the staff as senior offensive assistant/special assignments. Turner has yet to name a linebackers coach.

Jackson replaces New England wide receiver Wes Welker, who will be playing in Super Bowl XLVI the following week in Indianapolis, and Mathews replaces Baltimore’s Ray Rice, who will also miss the game.

This will be Jackson’s second-career Pro Bowl and Mathews’ first.

The Chargers promoted Hal Hunter to offensive coordinator/offensive line and named former Colorado State Head Coach Steve Fairchild as senior offensive assistant/special assignments Tuesday, the latest of several changes to the coaching staff.

“Hal has been an important part of our offense since I’ve been here,” Head Coach Norv Turner said. “He has a complete understanding of what we want to do in the run and the pass.”

Hunter spent the last six seasons as offensive line coach in San Diego after a lengthy college coaching career. Well-respected by the players and coaching staff for developing young linemen and helping high-level veterans continue to find ways to improve, Hunter received effusive praise from the likes of Nick Hardwick and Kris Dielman at the end of the season.

San Diego started 11 different offensive linemen this season due to a spate of injuries, but once the Chargers claimed Jared Gaither off waivers, Hunter helped stabilize the unit, which made the offensive outburst in the final five games possible. (San Diego scored at least 34 points four times in December and January).

The Chargers also are the only NFL team to throw for 4,500 yards and rush for 1,800 in each of the last two seasons, production Hunter has helped create.

Hunter made an immediate impact as the Chargers ranked second in the NFL in rushing in 2006, his first season on the staff. San Diego has averaged 1,907 rushing yards in Hunter’s six seasons and scored 115 touchdowns on the ground. The Chargers also have scored at least 400 points in an NFL-record eight straight seasons, including all six with Hunter on the staff.

A college linebacker for Northwestern, a neck injury ended his career prematurely in 1978.

Fairchild is returning back to the city where his football career began as an All-American quarterback for San Diego Mesa Community College. Fairchild also spent four seasons as an assistant at San Diego State.

He’s spent the majority of his career outside of San Diego in Fort Collins, Colo., where he finished his playing career, was an assistant coach from 1993-2000 and became Colorado State’s head coach from 2008-11.

Fairchild’s NFL experience includes a stint as the Buffalo Bills’ running backs coach (2001-02), the St. Louis Rams’ assistant offensive coordinator (2003-05) and the Bills’ offensive coordinator (2006-07).

Fairchild also brought in Philip Rivers for “an intensive session with offensive coaches to brainstorm different concepts” at CSU this spring, according to the Denver Post. Fairchild’s offensive coordinator at CSU, Pat Meyer, was the strength and conditioning coach at North Carolina State when Rivers was in college.

Hunter replaces Clarence Shelmon, who is not planning on coaching in the NFL in 2012. The Carolina Panthers announced Steve Wilks as their new secondary coach earlier this week, leaving a vacancy on the Chargers’ staff.

The San Diego Chargers have agreed to a new three-year deal with ClearChannel to broadcast all of the team’s preseason, regular-season and postseason games on radio. The new contract runs through the 2014 season.

Chargers games will continue to be simulcast on KIOZ-Rock 105.3 FM and KLSD-XTRA Sports 1360 AM.

“We are happy to continue our partnership with ClearChannel for the next three years,” said Chargers Executive Vice President-CEO A.G. Spanos. “We’ve had a very good relationship with ClearChannel and the variety of stations they own in the San Diego market allows us to reach Chargers fans through a wide range of platforms and music genres. It’s a winning combination.”

“We’ve built a strong partnership with the San Diego Chargers over past seven years and look forward to bringing San Diegans the excitement of NFL football on KIOZ-FM and KLSD-AM for another three seasons,” said Debbie Wagner, Clear Channel San Diego President and Market Manager. “Whether supporting and promoting team rallies, interviewing players or covering pre-season activities, the partnership fostered between the San Diego Chargers and Clear Channel Radio San Diego extends to our entire cluster of stations, including World Class Rock 101.5 (KGB-FM), Channel 93.3 (KHTS-FM), Star 94.1 (KMYI-FM), News & Talk (95.7-FM / AM-600 KOGO).”

In addition to live play-by-play coverage of all Chargers games, both Rock 105.3 and XTRA Sports 1360 air locally produced shows prior to and following each game, while XTRA dedicates programming time year-round with the “Chargers Power Hour” airing weekdays from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Offensive coordinator Clarence Shelmon will not return to the Chargers next season, he announced today.

Shelmon, who spent 10 seasons with San Diego and 21 in the NFL, was the longest-tenured assistant coach along with current defensive coordinator John Pagano. The offensive coordinator from 2007-2011, Shelmon expects to pursue other things in the future and looks forward to traveling with his wife Nancy. The two plan to visit Istanbul this summer and take a three-week trip to South Africa in December.

“I’m just done,” said Shelmon, who coached football for a combined 37 years. “You know when it’s time. It’s time for me to go and do some other things with my life.”

A running backs coach from 1978-2006, Shelmon worked with some great players. LaDainian Tomlinson, Lorenzo Neal, Emmitt Smith and Chris Warren combined for 11 Pro Bowls under Shelmon’s tutelage. Shelmon also helped develop Ryan Mathews, Mike Tolbert, Darren Sproles and Michael Turner with the Chargers.

“Clarence was a big part of five AFC West championship teams and three playoff wins in San Diego,” Head Coach Norv Turner said. “His work ethic and dedication to this team go back a long time and he’s had a positive effect on the many players he coached during his tenure here.” 

Shelmon oversaw five consecutive 2,000-yard rushing seasons in San Diego from 2002-06. His coaching helped the Chargers rush for a team-record 2,578 yards and Tomlinson win the NFL MVP in ’06, a year before becoming offensive coordinator.

San Diego has averaged 26.9 points per game since Shelmon took a lead role in coordinating the Chargers’ offense, fourth in the NFL. The Bolts also are sixth in the NFL in rushing yards since Shelmon joined the staff in ’02.

Among the Chargers’ accomplishments with Shelmon as coordinator, the Bolts led the NFL in total offense, average yards per play and average yards per pass in 2010, and averaged at least 25 points a game for eight consecutive seasons, a first for any franchise in NFL history. San Diego also made the playoffs five times in Shelmon’s 10 years on the staff. He devised several unique training methods during his coaching career, including a ball-control drill that involves carrying a football attached to a giant bungee cord.

“We changed the culture here,” Shelmon said. “(In 2000), the Chargers were 1-15. We went 8-8 and just missed the playoffs my first year in 2002. From that time on, I’ve seen the team get better and better.

“We’ve done it both ways. I primarily made my name as being a good running coach and developing backs. We were able to be one of the better teams running the ball. Then when Norv came in, we went to the AFC Championship and added more to the passing game, yet we’ve been able to run the ball fairly well. We bridged the two philosophies, I think, quite well. I’m proud of the small part I’ve played in it.”

Shelmon worked hard last offseason to find ways to maximize the talents of Mathews and Tolbert. The pair combined for 2,469 yards of offense and 16 touchdowns as Mathews earned second alternate Pro Bowl status in his second season.

“It’s fulfilling as a coach to see players mature not only on the field but as men,” Shelmon said. “Looking at their will, how hard they work, the camaraderie between the coaches and players, that’s what makes coaching pro football unique.”

Shelmon and Nancy have helped pay for the college education of dozens of students from his hometown of Bossier City, La., through a scholarship fund created in 1999 in memory of his mother, Ruby Shelmon. Students who have received aid send their grades to the Shelmons and can get help throughout college if they do well. The fund initially helped two students a year and now serves four annually.

“All kids, they just need a little nudge, a little help, a little push,” Shelmon said. “You never know what that little push may do for them. It could get them on the path to where they may become something special.”

The Chargers named veteran defensive coach John Pagano the team’s new defensive coordinator, replacing Greg Manusky, who was released earlier in the day.

Pagano spent the last 10 seasons on San Diego’s staff and has coached linebackers since 2005, helping develop Shaun Phillips andShawne Merriman among other players, most recently Antwan Barnes and Donald Butler.

“John has worked extremely hard and been very patient to get this opportunity,” Head Coach Norv Turner said. “I’m excited about John’s experience with this defense, his familiarity with our team and where we can go with his direction.”

“I think the No. 1 thing is that we come together as a defensive staff and we work together to get everybody going in one direction,” Pagano said. “Our primary goal is to win the AFC West, but the ultimate goal is to win a Super Bowl.”

Barnes led the team and set a career high with 11 sacks this season. Butler, in his first NFL season, led the team with 10 tackles for loss in addition to two sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.

Pagano’s group of linebackers accounted for 27 of the team’s 47 sacks in 2010 and the linebackers helped hold 10 of 16 opponents to less than 100 rushing yards.

Don’t expect any special signature to Pagano’s defense. He wants to ensure the players execute well and help the team reach those goals.

“We’re going to go out and play fundamentally sound defense,” Pagano said. “It’s still about tackling the guy with the football and getting after the quarterback and covering people downfield. We’re going to do what we need to do to help the Chargers win football games.”

“I’m very humbled and honored that they would consider me for the position,” Pagano said. “It’s something I’ve always dreamed about, being here 11 years in San Diego.”

Pagano also spent time as a defensive assistant for New Orleans and Indianapolis from 1996-01. He comes from a football family. His father Sam spent 26 years coaching Fairview High School in Boulder, Colo., and has run the Mile High Football Camp in Denver for 36 years. His brother Chuck is the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.

The 44-year-old Pagano played linebacker and began his coaching career at Mesa State College in Mesa, Colo.

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The San Diego Chargers have relieved defensive coordinator Greg Manusky of his duties, Head Coach Norv Turner announced today.

In 2011, San Diego’s defensive ranking dropped to 16th overall, including 20th against the run and 13th against the pass, after leading the NFL in total defense and pass defense in 2010. The Chargers’ defense on third down struggled in 2011, falling to last in the NFL after finishing fourth overall in 2010.

“I’d like to thank Greg for the passion and enthusiasm he brought to our team and coaching staff this past season,” said Turner.

Manusky just finished his first season as the Chargers’ defensive coordinator. He took over for Ron Rivera, who was hired as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers in 2011.

San Diego Chargers Chairman of the Board & President Dean Spanos today officially ended speculation and confirmed that General Manager A.J. Smith and Head Coach Norv Turner will return in 2012.

“Bottom line, I believe these two men give us the best chance to get back to the playoffs,” said Spanos. “A.J. Smith is the best man to improve our roster, and Norv Turner is the best man to lead that roster on the field.

“Together, we have stability and experience that’s hard to find in the NFL. They’ve both been in this league a long time. I don’t think there is anything they haven’t seen or experienced. They’ve led us through some difficult situations.

“As we’ve seen throughout Norv’s tenure and particularly this past season, the players believe in him, respect him and play hard for him. When we went through that tough stretch, no one quit. The team kept playing hard, and that’s a tribute to Norv’s leadership and the respect the players have for him.

“Now we will take a hard look at everything, from player evaluation to coaching to the rash of injuries we’ve suffered in recent years. Injuries have killed us. And no one is ever perfect in this business. Player evaluation isn’t an exact science. We need to improve across the board and I’m going to make sure we do.

“We all have our quirks and faults, but I want A.J. and Norv on my side. They are the right men to help us win a championship.”

During Smith’s nine-year tenure as general manager (2003-11), the Chargers have won 88 games and five AFC West titles. Only three teams (New England, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh) have won more games or division titles during that time. During the three seasons prior to Smith’s appointment, the Chargers struggled to a 13-35 record. Smith’s 91 overall wins in nine seasons rank second in team history among general managers, just one win behind Sid Gilman’s 92 wins in 11 seasons.

Since Turner took over as head coach, he has earned an impressive 52-34 overall record (including 3-3 in the postseason), the highest overall winning percentage in franchise history (.605). Other impressive numbers during Turner’s tenure include San Diego’s record in December/January under Turner (21-3), record after Nov. 1 (32-12), and record versus the AFC West (21-9). Only six teams have won more playoff games during that time and only five teams have made more postseason appearances.

“Despite the number of wins we’ve had, the net bottom line is it doesn’t mean anything unless you win a championship,” Spanos summarized. “That’s our goal and I am committed to winning a Super Bowl for San Diego.

The San Diego Chargers do not publish the team's depth chart during the off-season. Please check back for the updated depth chart prior to the first preseason game.