Cottrell out, Rivera in as Chargers' defensive coordinator
Sports Network | October 28, 2008
San Diego, CA (Sports Network) - The San Diego Chargers made a coaching change on Tuesday, removing Ted Cottrell as defensive coordinator and hiring Ron Rivera in his place.
The move comes two days after San Diego allowed 37 points in a loss to the New Orleans Saints in a game played at London's Wembley Stadium. The setback dropped the Chargers to 3-5 on the season. San Diego's defense has allowed 20 or more points in five of its eight contests thus far in 2008.
Cottrell held the post for the last season and a half.
Rivera had been the team's inside linebackers coach since the start of the 2007 season.
He spent the previous three seasons (2004-06) as defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears. He presided over a defense which finished the 2006 season fifth in overall defense, third in scoring and led the league in takeaways with 44.
