Sometimes, it’s better to just not say anything.
But sometimes, when something is said, it’s good for the rest of us to be able to say, “lesson learned.”
We can all be the judge on this one. NFL writer Myles Simmons on Friday implied on X / Twitter that former Los Angeles Chargers coach Brandon Staley got his job because of his skin color.
“Had to happen,” Simmons wrote. “But I am thinking about this today — if Brandon Staley didn’t look like Brandon Staley and had his same resume (non-player, 3 years as NFL position coach, 1 as NFL DC) he never, ever even would’ve been interviewed for a HC position, let alone hired.”
Outkick writer Ian Miller points out here (Football Writer Claims Fired Chargers Coach Brandon Staley Was Only Hired For Being White) that Staley’s hire wasn’t that much different than his predecessor, Anthony Lynn, who was also fired, and is black.
“Lynn had significantly more time as a position coach,” Miller points out, “but just one season as the Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator in 2016. And that one season wasn’t exactly successful either. Lynn’s Bills offense ranked 10th in points scored and 16th in yards gained, and while there were a few impressive point and yardage totals, the Bills had fewer than 340 yards in nine of 16 games.”
Another conclusion Miller draws: “Lynn was head coach for the Chargers for four seasons, finishing 33-31 and 1-1 in the playoffs. Staley was 24-24 in two and three quarter seasons and 0-1 in the playoffs. Sounds like the problem is the Chargers, not the race of their coaches.”
