According to Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com, Tom Telesco and Mike McCoy have hired Mike Nolan to replace Joe Barry as linebackers coach for the San Diego Chargers. Barry, the former linebackers coach, departed San Diego to become the defensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins.
Nolan was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of former New Orleans Saints head coach Dick Nolan. Mike Nolan became the Head Coach of the San Fransisco 49ers in 2005, and with his first pick in the NFL draft selected quarterback Alex Smith. However, after the 2008 season, Nolan was terminated as general manager, and on October 20, 2008, he was replaced as head coach.
He then went on to the Denver Broncos, where he was the defensive coordinator under John Fox in 2009 while McCoy was the offensive coordinator. He also has experience as the defensive coordinator for teams such as the Atlanta Falcons, and he brings extensive experience working with the 3-4 defense that current coordinator John Pagano runs in San Diego.
Nolan has coached a total of 17 seasons as defensive coordinator in the NFL and four seasons as head coach of the 49ers. Before he entered the NFL at the age of 28, he served as the linebackers coach for Rice, Stanford, and Louisiana State.
Barry, who became defensive coordinator for the Redskins, joined the Chargers as the linebackers coach in 2011. He also witnessed the firing of Norv Turner and A.J. Smith at the end of the 2013 season. Barry was the second choice for the Redskins as defensive coordinator after the Chicago Bears selected Vic Fangio. This change comes on the heels of changes being made at Redskins Park after the Redskins finished 4-12 in 2014.