The San Diego Chargers hired Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy as coach to try to turn around a team coming off its first losing season since 2003.
McCoy, 40, succeeds Norv Turner, who was fired on Dec. 31 after the Chargers went 7-9 and missed the National Football League playoffs for the third year in a row.
“Mike has shown he has one of the most innovative minds in football,” Chargers President Dean Spanos said in a statement.
The Broncos’ offense ranked second in the NFL in scoring this season with quarterback Peyton Manning. McCoy had interviewed for the Miami Dolphins’ coaching vacancy a year ago after helping Denver reach the playoffs.
With the Chargers, McCoy will work with Philip Rivers, who struggled this season, in large part because of a shaky offensive line. Rivers was sacked 49 times and had 22 turnovers.
McCoy played quarterback at Long Beach State and Utah before moving on to the NFL Europe and the CFL. He began his pro coaching career with Carolina in 1999 before moving to the Broncos in 2009.
Pro Bowl changes
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers says injuries to “multiple lower extremities” will keep him out of the Pro Bowl. Rodgers was to be the NFC’s starting quarterback.
Bucs receiver Vincent Jackson and Lions long snapper Don Muhlbach were added to the NFC team.
Bengals tackle Andrew Whitworth was added to the AFC team after Broncos’ lineman Ryan Clady pulled out due to a shoulder injury.
Around the league
The Philadelphia Eagles signed tackle Allen Barbre. Barbre, 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, has played in 32 games in six seasons with Green Bay, Miami and Seattle. … The New York Giants have signed wide receiver Kris Adams and cornerback Antonio Dennard to reserve/future contracts.
