Seahawks hiring Jay Harbaugh, Ryan Ficken likely to remain with Chargers

The path has been paved for Chargers’ special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken to remain with the organization after the Seahawks signed Jay Harbaugh in the same role.

Curveball! The Seahawks are working on hiring Michigan’s Jay Harbaugh as their special teams coordinator, per sources. So rather than join his dad Jim in LA, Jay Harbaugh will team up with ex-Wolverine staffmate Mike Macdonald in Seattle.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 5, 2024

Harbaugh had been in Chargers’ staffing rumors with Jesse Minter and Greg Roman to join his father, Jim Harbaugh, in Los Angeles. However, the tone had shifted through recent weeks with Ryan Ficken becoming more likely to stay in Aaron Wilson’s updated reporting. Jay Harbaugh going to Seattle all but confirms that Ficken will remain in Los Angeles.

Ficken has been the leader of a special teams renaissance for a Chargers’ team that struggled in Brandon Staley’s first season. The Chargers ranked 31st in Rick Gosselin’s special teams rankings despite a 9-8 season in 2021. Previous special teams coordinator Derius Swinton was replaced with Ficken in 2022. Los Angeles proceeded to jump 24 spots to 7th in the same rankings.

Last year, the Chargers continued their dominant special teams performance under Ficken with a fifth-place finish. Key contributors like Cameron Dicker, JK Scott, and Josh Harris have been critical acquisitions in Ficken’s system.

While Ficken staying on the current coaching staff is not confirmed, the Chargers have not interviewed other candidates while blocking other teams from speaking to him. Harbaugh signing with Seattle should accelerate the process of LA finalizing Ficken’s return.