Chargers

Defense

He lasted one year after coming over from San Francisco. Firing Manusky may have been among the terms set forth by owner Dean Spanos when he retained GM A.J. Smith and head coach Norv Turner. While Manusky’s defense finished 16th in the NFL rankings and a respectable-looking 13th versus the pass, it got pushed around all year up front and collapsed badly down the stretch. In the second half of the season, the Chargers’ offense played from behind early and often. Manusky should still land on his feet, possibly as a linebackers coach. He was among the finalists for the Panthers’ head-coaching job in 2011.

Pagano was rumored to be on UCLA’s radar in the Bruins’ defensive coordinator search. Pagano’s older brother, Chuck, is the defensive coordinator of the Ravens. John has spent the past decade on the Chargers’ coaching staff.

Pagano will be Norv Turner’s fourth defensive coordinator in six years. He’s been with the Chargers for 10 years, including the last six as LBs coach. Pagano has a strong resume, helping to develop Shawne Merriman, Shaun Phillips, Donald Butler, and even special teamer turned pass rusher Antwan Barnes. Pagano is not expected to make drastic scheme alterations.

The Chargers have “contacted” Mora, but it sounds like former Falcons and Seahawks head coach is just gaining financial leverage out of the deal. The Times says UCLA will boost the pay of his assistants and improve the team’s facilities. Mora signed a five-year, $11.235 million contract with the Bruins when he took over the program before this season.

No interview has been scheduled “yet,” but things are starting to snowball for Zimmer. Shut out of the first wave of interest, he’s now getting play from both the Chargers and Browns. San Diego is expected to announce their new general manager at some point Wednesday.

The move comes as no surprise. In his first year as defensive coordinator, Pagano’s unit allowed nearly two points less per game than it did in 2011 and went from the 22nd-ranked defense to 16th in 2012. Pagano’s defense also did a much better job rushing the passer and limited the big plays that were prevalent under former coordinator Greg Manusky the year before.

Per the U-T San Diego’s Kevin Acee, Mora would keep John Pagano as defensive coordinator and hire Noel Mazzone to run the Chargers’ offense. Mazzone was Philip Rivers’ offensive coordinator at NC State. Mora, 51, coached the Bruins in 2012 to a 9-5 record. Mora has all along wanted to return to the NFL and now appears to have emerged as a serious candidate for the Chargers. San Diego still needs to hire a general manager, though.

Acee adds that Cardinals VP of player personnel Steve Keim could get into the mix and is scheduled to interview on Saturday. Keim is a friend of Chargers director of college scouting John Spanos. Spanos is part of the GM search team in San Diego. Raye is the team’s in-house candidate as the director of player personnel. Telesco is Indianapolis’ VP of football operations. Telesco could bring along Colts OC Bruce Arians to be the head coach of the Bolts.

Shame on the Cardinals if they let Keim get away. A former on-the-road scout, Keim is viewed as a big personality with an impressive resume as a talent evaluator. Current director of player personnel in San Diego, Jimmy Raye III, is also viewed as a top candidate for the Chargers GM job. The Bolts were denied permission to interview Broncos director of player personnel Matt Russell for the position -- reportedly at Russell’s own request.

According to CBS Sports, the Colts have also granted the Bolts permission to interview VP of football operations Tom Telesco. As expected, Bolts player personnel director Jimmy Raye III will get an interview as an in-house candidate. Widely respected around the league, Gamble and Caldwell are vying for the same position with the Jaguars and Jets as well. It comes as no surprise that former longtime GM Ron Wolf has put together an impressive list while spearheading the Chargers’ search.