Today was a landmark day for the San Diego Chargers, as they introduced Tom Telesco as the team’s new General Manager. We caught up with President Dean Spanos to discuss the hire.
Photo Gallery: Tom Telesco Press Conference | More Photos
Here’s what he had to say.
Question: Talk about the process that led to the selection of Tom Telesco?
Dean Spanos: Well you know the last week or so, we were flying around the country interviewing potential candidates, and let me tell you every candidate we interviewed was extraordinarily competent and will, in my mind, be an NFL General Manager at some point in time.
Question: What was it that made Tom stand out from the pack?
Spanos: I think he has a clear vision in terms of how to build a winning franchise, that's what struck me the most. I mean he's very engaging, he's a great communicator and a hard worker. But he has this vision, and you know it's this change I can foresee in the future that he is going to bring with his vision that will get us back to the playoffs and hopefully the Super Bowl.
Question: What are your expectations of him moving forward?
Spanos: He has a lot on his plate right now. The first thing he has to do is get acclimated here, but more than that in the next week or so we have to hire a new head coach and he will be leading that charge for us with me.
Question: How will he assist and help sculpt what you guys want to do with the head coaching position?
Spanos: I know he has a very good perspective of our team right now so that will play a part in it. Right now there are a lot of head coaches out there, we are going to narrow down the field to maybe, I'm not picking any specific number here, but five or six potential candidates, and we are going to bring them in and see which coach really fits best for our vision together.
Question: You must be very excited about this process with Tom for the new head coach.
Spanos: I really am. You know it’s a change, and we've needed change here. I’m looking forward not backward. I think we have a good foundation here. It's a great opportunity for Tom to come in here and I really am optimistic for the future.
