Brandon Staley

{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1982)}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Brandon Staley

| image =

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption =

| current_team = New Orleans Saints

| position = Defensive coordinator

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1982|12|10|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Perry, Ohio, U.S.

| high_school = Perry

| college = {{ubl|Dayton (2003–2004)|Mercyhurst (2005)}}

| pastcoaching =

Northern Illinois (2006–2008)
Graduate assistant
St. Thomas (MN) (2009)
Defensive line coach & special teams coach
Hutchinson (2010–2011)
Associate head coach & defensive coordinator
Tennessee (2012)
Graduate assistant
John Carroll (2013)
Defensive coordinator & secondary coach
James Madison (2014)
Defensive coordinator & linebackers coach
John Carroll (2015–2016)
Defensive coordinator & secondary coach
Chattanooga (2017)
Defensive coordinator
Chicago Bears ({{nfly|2017}}–{{nfly|2018}})
Outside linebackers coach
Denver Broncos ({{nfly|2019}})
Outside linebackers coach
Los Angeles Rams ({{nfly|2020}})
Defensive coordinator
Los Angeles Chargers ({{nfly|2021}}–{{nfly|2023}})
Head coach
San Francisco 49ers ({{nfly|2024}})
Assistant head coach
New Orleans Saints ({{nfly|2025}}–present)
Defensive coordinator

| highlights =

| regular_record = {{Winning percentage|24|24|record=y}}

| playoff_record = {{Winning percentage|0|1|record=y}}

| overall_record = {{Winning percentage|24|25|record=y}}

| pfrcoach = StalBr0

}}

Brandon John Staley (born December 10, 1982) is an American professional football coach who is the defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers from 2021 to 2023, defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams in 2020, an assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, and Chicago Bears.

Early life and college

Staley was born on December 10, 1982, in Perry, Ohio. He attended the University of Dayton and started two years at quarterback for the Flyers from 2003 to 2004, guiding the team to a 16–5 record. He finished his playing career at Mercyhurst College, playing on the football team in 2005.{{Cite web|title=5 Things to Know: Brandon Staley|url=https://www.chargers.com/news/5-things-to-know-brandon-staley |work=Los Angeles Chargers|access-date=2021-01-17}}

Coaching career

=College=

Brandon began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Northern Illinois from 2006 to 2008 before working with defensive linemen and special teams at Division III St. Thomas (Minnesota) in 2009.

In 2010 and 2011, Staley served as the associate head coach and defensive coordinator at Hutchinson Community College (Kansas). He spent the 2012 season at Tennessee as a graduate assistant. Staley then spent three seasons (2013, 2015, 2016) as the defensive coordinator/secondary coach with John Carroll University (Ohio).{{Cite web|title=Brandon Staley – Football Coach|url=https://jcusports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/brandon-staley/826|work=John Carroll University Athletics|access-date=2020-05-12}} Staley spent 2014 as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at James Madison University (Virginia).{{Cite web|title=Brandon Staley – Football Coach|url=https://jmusports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/brandon-staley/33|work=James Madison University Athletics|access-date=2020-05-12}} Staley was announced as the Defensive Coordinator of the Chattanooga Mocs (Tennessee) in January of 2017, but would step away from this role within the same month to pursue NFL opportunities.{{Cite web |date=2017-01-05 |title=New Mocs DC Earns National Honor |url=https://gomocs.com/story.aspx?filename=football-new-mocs-dc-earns-national-honor&file_date=1-5-2017 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Athletics |language=en}}

=Chicago Bears=

In 2017, Staley was hired by the Chicago Bears as their outside linebackers coach.{{Cite web|title=Broncos hire Bears OLB coach Brandon Staley|url=https://247sports.com/nfl/denver-broncos/Article/Broncos-hire-Bears-OLB-coach-Brandon-Staley-127862903/|work=Denver Broncos|access-date=2020-05-12}}

=Denver Broncos=

On January 15, 2019, Staley was hired by the Denver Broncos as their outside linebackers coach, reuniting with then-head coach Vic Fangio.{{Cite web|title=Bears OLB coach Staley follows Fangio to Broncos|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bears/bears-outside-linebackers-coach-brandon-staley-follows-vic-fangio-broncos|date=2019-01-15|work=NBC Sports Chicago|access-date=2020-05-12}}

=Los Angeles Rams=

On January 16, 2020, Staley was hired by the Los Angeles Rams as their defensive coordinator, replacing Wade Phillips.{{Cite web|title=Sean McVay makes bold bet on unproven defensive coordinator Brandon Staley|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-rams/post/_/id/41266/rams-coach-sean-mcvay-makes-bold-bet-on-unproven-defensive-coordinator-brandon-staley|date=2020-01-14|website=ESPN.com|access-date=2020-05-12}}{{Cite web|title=Insight into new Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley from the coach who hired him three times|url=https://theathletic.com/1531589/2020/01/13/insight-into-new-rams-defensive-coordinator-brandon-staley-from-the-coach-who-hired-him-three-times/|last=Hammond|first=Rich|work=The Athletic|access-date=2020-05-12}} In his lone year as defensive coordinator, Staley helped guide the Rams defense to first in points and total yards allowed, positioning himself as an attractive head coaching candidate around the league.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ram/2020.htm|title= 2020 Los Angeles Rams Statistics and Players|work=Pro Football Reference|access-date=2021-01-19}}

=Los Angeles Chargers=

On January 17, 2021, Staley was hired as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers,{{Cite web|url=https://www.chargers.com/news/brandon-staley-head-coach-chargers-agree-to-terms|title=Chargers Agree to Terms with Brandon Staley as Head Coach|last=Communications|first=Chargers|date=January 17, 2021|website=chargers.com|access-date=January 17, 2021}} replacing Anthony Lynn.

On September 12, 2021, Staley made his head coaching debut against the Washington Football Team and led the Chargers to a 20–16 road victory.{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Chargers at Washington Football Team - September 12th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202109120was.htm |access-date=2021-09-21 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} Staley led the Chargers to a 9–7 record through the first 16 games of the 2021 season. However, against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18 in a win or tie or go home situation, Staley came under scrutiny for two decisions during the game. The first involved a failed fourth down conversion on the Chargers' own 18-yard line, giving the Raiders a short field, which they would score on to extend their lead to six. The second was calling a timeout with 38 seconds left in the overtime period with the Raiders at the Chargers' 39-yard line. Staley claimed that he called the timeout to get the right defensive personnel on the field as the Raiders were running the ball.{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Michael David |title=Brandon Staley says overtime timeout was to get the right personnel on the field |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/01/10/brandon-staley-says-overtime-timeout-was-to-get-the-right-personnel-on-the-field/ |work=ProFootballTalk |access-date=10 January 2022 |date=10 January 2022}} Following the game, there was conjecture that the timeout proved to be costly for the Chargers as the Raiders kicked a 47-yard field goal as time expired, winning 35–32, and eliminating the Chargers from playoff contention.{{cite web |title=Raiders vs. Chargers score: Derek Carr edges Justin Herbert in OT thriller; Vegas claims postseason spot |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/raiders-vs-chargers-score-derek-carr-edges-justin-herbert-in-ot-thriller-vegas-claims-postseason-spot/live/ |website=CBSSports.com |date=January 10, 2022 |access-date=10 January 2022}}{{cite magazine |last1=Selbe |first1=Nick |title=Derek Carr Says Chargers' OT Timeout 'Definitely' Changed Raiders' Mindset |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/01/10/raiders-chargers-overtime-timeout-tie-brandon-staley-derek-carr |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=10 January 2022}} However, when discussing the moment on a podcast, Raiders' interim head coach at that time Rich Bisaccia stated that "the timeout was really irrelevant".{{cite AV media|title= Pardon My Take |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJqGBsr1hyM&t=3423s}}

In the 2022 season, Staley led the Chargers to a 10–7 record, finishing in second place in the AFC West. The Chargers finished as the #5-seed in the AFC and played the #4-seed 9–8 Jacksonville Jaguars on January 14, 2023, in the AFC Wild Card round. The Chargers roared out to a 27–0 second quarter lead, but the Jaguars came back to win the game 31–30 with a field goal as time expired. It was the third-largest comeback in NFL playoff history.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35448106/los-angeles-chargers-blow-27-point-lead-jacksonville-jaguars-advance-afc-playoffs|title=Chargers blow 27-point lead, Jaguars advance in AFC playoffs|work=ESPN|date=January 14, 2023|access-date=January 14, 2023|location=Jacksonville, Florida|first1=Michael|last1=DiRocco|first2=Lindsey|last2=Thiry}}

After a 5–9 start to the 2023 season and losing 63–21 to the Raiders on Thursday Night Football in Week 15,{{cite web|title=Four days after losing 3–0, Raiders set franchise scoring record, beat Chargers 63–21|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/401547593|website=ESPN.com|date=December 15, 2023|access-date=December 15, 2023}} Staley was fired on December 15, 2023.{{cite web |last1=Gordon |first1=Grant |title=Chargers fire head coach Brandon Staley, general manager Tom Telesco following blowout loss to Raiders |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chargers-fire-head-coach-brandon-staley-general-manager-tom-telesco-following-bl |website=NFL.com |access-date=15 December 2023}} The Chargers-Raiders game set a Chargers franchise record for most points allowed in a single game, along with a Raiders franchise record for most points scored in a single game (doing so just four days after playing in one of the lowest-scoring NFL games in league history, in a 3–0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings).{{Cite web |date=2023-12-15 |title=Four days after losing 3–0, Raiders set franchise scoring record, beat Chargers 63–21 |url=https://apnews.com/article/raiders-chargers-score-record-635ff35343c530660653106676bc16a0 |access-date=2024-01-04 |work=AP News}}

=San Francisco 49ers=

On March 2, 2024, Staley was hired by the San Francisco 49ers. {{Cite web |date=2024-03-02 |last=Luis Sanchez III |first=Jose |title=49ers hire Brandon Staley |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/49ers/news/why-the-49ers-hired-brandon-staley |website=si.com |access-date=2024-12-02}} His role as assistant head-coach was revealed on May 22.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-22 |last=Wagoner |first=Nick |title=Brandon Staley's role at 49ers revealed as assistant head-coach |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/40199716/brandon-staley-embracing-reset-49ers-assistant-head-coach |website=espn.com |access-date=2024-12-02}}

=New Orleans Saints=

On February 21, 2025, Staley was hired by the New Orleans Saints as their new defensive coordinator under head coach Kellen Moore, whom Staley worked with when he was head coach of the Chargers.{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Grant |date=2025-02-21 |title=Saints hiring ex-Chargers head coach Brandon Staley as new defensive coordinator |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/saints-hire-ex-chargers-head-coach-brandon-staley-as-new-defensive-coordinator |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=NFL.com}}

Head coaching record

rowspan="2"\|Team	rowspan="2"\|Year	colspan="5"\|Regular season	colspan="4"\|Postseason
class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
Won	Lost	Ties	Win %	Finish	Won	Lost	Win %	Result
LAC \|\| 2021 \| 9 \|\| 8 \|\| 0 \|\| {{winpct\|9\|8}} \|\| 3rd in AFC West \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| —
style="background:#fdd;" ! LAC	2022 \| 10	7	0	{{winpct\|10\|7}}	2nd in AFC West	0	1	{{winpct\|0\|1}}	Lost to Jacksonville Jaguars in AFC Wild Card Game
LAC \|\| 2023 \| 5 \|\| 9 \|\| 0 \|\| {{winpct\|5\|9}} \|\| Fired \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| —
colspan="2"\|Total \|\| 24 \|\| 24 \|\| 0 \|\| {{winpct\|24\|24}} \|\| \|\| 0 \|\| 1 \|\| {{winpct\|0\|1}} \|\|

Personal life

Staley was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2006 and is considered cancer-free after undergoing chemotherapy.{{Cite web |url=https://www.news-herald.com/sports/cancer-survivor-john-carroll-defensive-coordinator-brandon-staley-inspires-his-players/article_73c45a7c-806b-5e5b-b33d-1424f9f33f08.html |title=Cancer survivor, John Carroll defensive coordinator Brandon Staley inspires his players |publisher=news-herald.com |last=Podolski |first=Mark |date=November 8, 2016 |access-date=2021-01-19}} He married Amy Ward in 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.news-herald.com/2011/06/19/ward-staley-engagement/|title=Ward-Staley engagement|work=The News-Herald|place=Willoughby, Ohio |date=June 19, 2011|accessdate=November 21, 2021}} They have three children.{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Chargers |url=https://www.chargers.com/team/coaches-roster/brandon-staley |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=www.chargers.com |language=en-US}}