Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
When the San Diego Chargers announced that Tom Telesco would be the club’s new general manager, it signaled a changing of the guard. Jimmy Raye was the runner-up in that selection process, was with the Bolts since 1996, and has a terrific reputation as a scout and talent evaluator. What has transpired over the course of a few short days has signaled a significant changing of the guard for the Chargers organization.
Now with Telesco leading the Chargers and leaving his post as vice president of football operations with the Indianapolis Colts, the man who missed out on his chance with the Chargers has replaced him in Indy. Raye was officially named to the same position that Telesco vacated with the Colts and will be the top assistant under Indy GM Ryan Grigson.
According to Grigson: “We’re excited to be adding someone as high caliber as Jimmy Raye to the Colts organization. He has a strong football pedigree, is highly intelligent and is a top notch evaluator along with being a great human being. I am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves with him this offseason as we hit the ground running into free agency, the draft, and beyond.”
The NFL truly is a revolving door and as the Chargers organization staff migrates eastward toward Indianapolis, perhaps even more members of the Colts staff will be heading to San Diego. It has long been rumored that Colts offensive coordinator and interim head coach in 2012 Bruce Arians is a leading candidate to get the head coaching gig with the Chargers. That may be an even stronger possibility now with Telesco in place as GM and John Pagano, brother of Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, still around as the San Diego defensive coordinator.
Even though the Chargers were adamant about wanting Raye to stick around, his decision to do what was best for his career took precedence. Immediately after getting the job in San Diego, Telesco was asked about Raye and he said: “I absolutely, positively would love him back.” Team owner Dean Spanos echoed those sentiments and offered a ringing endorsement of Raye as well saying: “Trust me when I tell you he’s a well-qualified individual to become a general manager in the National Football League. He will at some point in time. He knows we want him to stay. It’s up to him. We really want him.”
Unfortunately for the Chargers, the decision to go with Telesco over Raye has cost them a top notch mind in their personnel department. All the best to Raye and his future with the Colts, but the Bolts have to be excited about the new direction in which their franchise is headed.
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