Chargers hire Broncos aide

Mike McCoy's interview with San Diego went so well that both sides thought he was a perfect fit to become the Chargers' coach.

McCoy had one thing to do, though, before accepting the Chargers' offer, so it was a good thing Chargers president Dean Spanos' private plane was at his disposal.

"There was no doubt in my mind when I got back on that plane to go back home," said McCoy, the former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator who was introduced Tuesday as the Chargers' coach. "They wanted to keep me here last night. But I said, 'I've got to talk to my wife about this before. If I made the decision without talking to my wife, I might get in a little trouble.' "

So McCoy flew back to Denver to talk it over with wife Kellie. McCoy, his wife and their two children were back on the same plane Tuesday morning, flying back to San Diego to take the job.

"Without a doubt we knew this was the place we wanted to be," said McCoy, who signed a four-year contract.

McCoy replaces Norv Turner, who was fired along with general manager A.J. Smith after the Chargers finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs for the third straight season.

The move came three days after the top-seeded Broncos were eliminated from the playoffs in a double-overtime home loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

McCoy, 40, is the same age as Tom Telesco, who was hired as general manager last week. He interviewed after the Chargers already had talked to Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, fired head coaches Lovie Smith and Ken Whisenhunt and Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden.

"Once he came in and once we saw how good he was, we just felt we had to have him now," Telesco said of McCoy. "We had to get it done, or we'd lose him.

"He was polished, prepared, had great questions, which I think is big, too, that he had a lot of questions for us."

The Broncos have won two consecutive AFC West titles. McCoy tutored quarterbacks Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow in 2011 and had Peyton Manning behind center in 2012.

■ PRO BOWL - Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said injuries to "multiple lower extremities" will keep him out of the Pro Bowl this month.

Rodgers was to be the NFC's starting quarterback. But the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player said on his weekly radio show on Milwaukee's ESPN 540 AM that he didn't pass his year-end physical. He wouldn't get into specifics, though he did say the injury to his right ankle that landed him on the injury report several times in the second half of the season "has definitely been a problem."

Broncos left tackle Ryan Clady also withdrew from the Pro Bowl because of a shoulder injury. Cincinnati Bengals tackle Andrew Whitworth will replace Clady.

Tampa Bay receiver Vincent Jackson was added to the NFC squad, replacing Detroit's Calvin Johnson, who played through nagging injuries most of the season.

Lions long snapper Don Muhlbach also was added to the NFC team.

■ EAGLES - Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley arrived in Philadelphia for his second interview with the Eagles, suggesting the nearly three-week search to replace Andy Reid could be nearing an end.

Bradley first met with the Eagles in Atlanta on Saturday, a day before Seattle lost to the Falcons in an NFC divisional playoff game. He's the first of the 11 known candidates interviewed by Philadelphia to get a second meeting. He's also expected to interview with Jacksonville this week, though the Eagles could make him an offer that changes those plans.

■ CARDINALS - Arizona's list of potential coaches lost a name when the San Diego Chargers hired Mike McCoy.

Now the Cardinals are going to take a look at Seattle offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, reportedly setting up an interview with the man who provided the game plan that led to the Seahawks' 58-0 victory over Arizona.

The other known candidates to replace the fired Ken Whisenhunt are Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley and Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden.

Bevell, who also is in the running for the Chicago Bears' job, played a key role in the development of rookie quarterback Russell Wilson.

■ PACKERS - Defensive coordinator Dom Capers is not going to lose his job over one ugly game. Even if it did end Green Bay's season.

Three days after the Packers were gouged by the San Francisco 49ers for 579 yards, coach Mike McCarthy said he will evaluate everyone on his staff but is "very confident" Capers will return as defensive coordinator next year.

"I think it's ridiculous that I have to answer the question, frankly. I'm appalled by it," McCarthy said.

■ BROWNS - Cleveland Browns Stadium's name will change, and a dome and artificial turf still are options, but don't expect cheerleaders or jazzing up the team's beloved orange helmets, team owner Jimmy Haslam said.

An electric utility, Akron, Ohio-based FirstEnergy Corp., bought the naming rights to the stadium, which will be known as FirstEnergy Stadium. Financial terms of the long-term agreement weren't disclosed.

■ PANTHERS - Quarterback Cam Newton is enrolled at Auburn for the spring semester. School spokesman Kirk Sampson said Newton is taking classes toward a sociology degree.

Newton led the Tigers to the 2010 Bowl Championship Series title while winning the Heisman Trophy in his only season after transferring from junior college.